BOCCHERINI: Cello Concertos Nos. 10 in D; 2 in D, 3 in G; 9 in B-flat – Wen-Sinn Yang, cello/ Streicherakademie Bozen/ Georg Egger, conductor – Arts

by | Jul 29, 2010 | SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews | 0 comments

BOCCHERINI: Cello Concertos Nos. 10 in D; 2 in D, 3 in G; 9 in B-flat – Wen-Sinn Yang, cello/ Streicherakademie Bozen/ Georg Egger, conductor – Arts multichannel SACD 47754-8, 78:01 ***** [Distr. by Albany]:

Luigi Boccherini (1743-1805) wandered all around Europe during his career, setting a standard that many would envy. But by the early twentieth century his reputation was shot; no longer the cries of adulation and comparison with masters like Haydn, and no longer considered one of the gallants who cemented the galant style. Aside from the much-recorded Fandango guitar quintet, not much is heard.

This is a shame, for especially the twelve cello concertos have much to offer, and in fact are some of the most remarkable works from that time period, holding up even today as examples of cello writing virtually unparalleled since then. The extravagant technical passages that make use of the entire range of the instrument coupled with heartrending and flower-like delicacy of the slow movements make for compelling listening. For me, played on modern instruments in fantastically recorded surround sound that simply breathes wonderment and the full flush of new discovery, these readings by 45-year-old Wen-Sinn Yang (appointed first cellist of the Bavarian Radio Symphony at age 24) are positively the best readings ever set down of this terrific music. Oh, I know there are a lot of them out there—almost 70 recordings that feature at least one concerto—but there are far fewer devoted to the cello concertos exclusively—Raphael Wallfisch on Naxos one of the better sets, though the sound there is not in the same league.

I can’t recommend these highly enough, and I hope that Yang will finish all twelve—bedrock Boccherini for sure, and they deserve a place on your shelves.

— Steven Ritter

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