Schumann: Cello Concerto & Brahms: Serenade No. 1

The most enjoyable feature of this superbly engineered CD is the high level of musical interrelation that it more or less consistently conveys, between Natalia Gutman and the orchestra in the... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 16th Apr 2007
Catalogue No: E4765786
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Length: 73 minutes

Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129

Work length25:10

$2.55

$3.45

Natalia Gutman (cello), Mahler Chamber Orchestra (chamber orchestra)
Claudio Abbado
Recorded: 2006

I. Nicht zu schnell

Track length12:12

$0.85

$1.15

II. Langsam

Track length4:48

$0.85

$1.15

III. Sehr lebhaft

Track length8:10

$0.85

$1.15

Brahms: Serenade No. 1 in D major, Op. 11

Work length48:07

$5.10

$6.90

Mahler Chamber Orchestra (chamber orchestra), Natalia Gutman (cello)
Claudio Abbado
Recorded: 2006

I. Allegro molto

Track length13:46

$0.85

$1.15

II. Scherzo (Allegro non troppo) - Trio (Poco più moto)

Track length8:46

$0.85

$1.15

III. Adagio non troppo

Track length12:38

$0.85

$1.15

IV. Menuetto I-II

Track length3:57

$0.85

$1.15

V. Scherzo (Allegro)

Track length2:57

$0.85

$1.15

VI. Rondo (Allegro)

Track length6:03

$0.85

$1.15

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The recording was made live in Reggio Emilia during an Italian tour by Claudio Abbado, Natalia Gutman and Mahler Chamber Orchestra performing these works

Reviews

2010

The most enjoyable feature of this superbly engineered CD is the high level of musical interrelation that it more or less consistently conveys, between Natalia Gutman and the orchestra in the Schumann, and between Abbado and his young players in both works. Gutman's playing, like Abbado's conducting, is communicative and conversational, earnestly so at times, her tone mostly warm in texture, her bowing seamless and in the quieter sections quite ravishing although she's also capable of muscular attack. For a sustained sense of musical line, try the opening minute or so of the slow movement – note how easily the music breathes, even at a relatively slow tempo. The effect is of poignancy beyond words. The finale is playful and fairly genial, and the clarity of Gutman's articulation means that the solo line never sounds merely 'busy'. The orchestra is there with her every bar of the way, ever responsive, attentive and affectionate.
Schumann's Cello Concerto is a late work whereas Brahms's First Serenade is relatively early. Abbado's performance is chamber-like, modestly individual and for the most part beautifully played by the Mahler CO. Just listen to the easeful charm of the opening and the adoring way Abbado draws the first movement's second subject, gradually slowing the tempo before picking it up again for a return to the otherwise pervasive ebullience. No single movement anticipates the later, equivocal Brahms more tellingly than the whimsical Scherzo, thoughtfully played here, while the tripping finale is both assertive and delicate – though, again, the second set is poetically underlined.
This is prime-quality Abbado: points are made but never overstated, and there's always the sense that quality musicians are working together with a common musical aim. Who could possibly ask for more?

July 2007

Gutman's playing like Abbado's conducting, is communicative and conversational, earnestly so at times, her tone mostly warm in texture, her bowing seamless and in the quieter sections quite ravishing although she's also capable of muscular attack. No single movement anticipates the later, equivocal Brahms more tellingly than the whimsical Scherzo, thoughtfully played here, while the tripping finale is both assertive and delicate... This is prime quality Abbado... there's always the sense that quality musicians are working together with a common musical aim. Who could possibly ask for more?

Schumann: Cello Concerto & Brahms: Serenade No. 1

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