Par BORRETT JOANNA. Classical folk cello music by Joanna Borrett. Folk and Beyond is an unmissable album of 12 new cello and piano pieces that combine the ease and spontaneity of folk music with the passion of the classical world. In this eclectic and accessible collection, re-imaginings of well-loved folk tunes sit next to characterful pieces with a strong sense of narrative. Stamping, tapping, ponticello, col legno, snap pizz, tremolo bowing, natural harmonics and glissandi aim to create a sense of fun, bring ideas to life and enhance direct expression / Date parution : 2022-05-31/ Recueil / Violoncelle et Piano

For quite some time posterity remembered Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) for just a handful of songs and the operetta Ciboulette overlooking the incredible diversity of a catalogue as eclectic as it is appealing. Yet his chamber music contains many little-known treasures: thus cellist Steven Isserlis in his preface hastens to hail the first modern edition of these two scores which he regularly plays in recital so much does their beauty enchant the audience. Published in 1911 the Two Improvisations on Irish Airs for cello and piano turn out to be the transcription of his first and third Preludes for piano four hands (1894). Thesefolk themes come from the collection Songs of Old Ireland published 12 years earlier by Charles Villiers Stanford: gracefully and tenderly The Little Red Lark unfurls a melancholic tune of which the regular foundation respects the breadth of phrase typical of folk songs; in The Willow-Tree the lover begs his beloved in vain to take him in her arms one last time before he lies down lifeless in the shade of the tree. Beyond this sensitive exploration of the Irish soul Hahn offers us a journey into the past: the Variations chantantes sur un air ancien develop a theme borrowed from Cavalli’s opera Xerse. In this aria (1660 version: Act IV sc. 6) Ambassador Periarco dreams of moving away from court intrigues to be able to taste the pleasures ‘to which the gods have destined him’. Reynaldo Hahn’s variations succeed in maintaining the sweet simplicity of this theme as noble as it is refined.

The Sheku Kanneh-Mason Cello Collection combines the artist’s renowned performance repertoire with his own inspirational compositions, all as performed by Sheku himself. Suitable for the intermediate cellist and beyond, this dynamic volume is sure to spark a desire to perform. With commentary from Sheku revealing the stories behind the pieces and his own expert advice, this collection is a must-have for all aspiring cellists./ Recueil / Violoncelle et Piano

The pieces contained in this album encompass 300 years of French music ranging from the gamba music of the Baroque period to the impressionism of Debussy. While the technical difficulties encountered in these selections seldom go beyond the intermediate level the interpretation requires versatility from the performer. The seventeenth century compositions should be played with crisp articulation and an incisive rhythm. The romantic pieces require a rich full tone whereas the selections by Faure and Debussy should be treated with subtlety of phrasing and tonal refinement.