Twentieth Century Music for Cello

Advantages: Little known music played extremely well
Disadvantages: Music has harsh dissonances and is not easy to understand

...This is another outstanding performance by Marc-Andre Hamelin, once again championing the piano works of a little known composer. Hamelin plays with imagination and variety, bringing to life this very difficult to understand music. The style of the music is post-Scriabin. Just as Scriabin took his starting point from Chopin, so Roslavets takes his starting point from late Scriabin, developing it in his own way. For those not familiar with the music of Scriabin, he was a late nineteenth century, early twentieth century composer, mainly of piano music and orchestral music. Scriabin's early music is based on the music of Chopin, and similar to Rachmaninoff's. His later music is more mystical, associated with his mystical religious ideas. He is famous for his "Poem of Ecstasy", a work he wrote as he moved into his late period... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good historical recording
Disadvantages: Would be better with today's transfer technology

...A sympathetic collection of one of the most significant musicals of the Great War era. Very interesting for music historians and those seeking wartime nostalgia. "The Bing Boys are Here" was a comedy musical revue with a varying programme of songs. It opened on the 19th April 1916. The story was light hearted and provided a welcome entertainment for the troops on leave as well as the general population. It reflected the hope for the future in one of the darkest periods of the Twentieth Century - the story centering around the two brothers Bing leaving home and heading towards the City to seek their fortunes. Unfortunately doesn't include one of the most famous standards - probably the only one still sung today: "Let the Great Big World Keep Turning" Perhaps a better attempt at transferring the original recordings to digital... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Some powerfully exciting music
Disadvantages: Recording can't do it complete justice

...In my previous Philip Glass review (“Bringing The World Together”) I gave all the background to this composer’s life and music that you are likely to need if he’s a new name to you. I would refer you to that review rather than repeat it all here and bore those who did read it. I mentioned in that review that I was eagerly awaiting this new CD’s release. Well, here it is at last and I’m sure you’re bursting with excitement waiting to discover what I think of it – aren’t you? Hello? Hello???? Where’s everyone gone…? *** The Music *** The Cello Concerto was written for the cellist who performs on this disc, Julian Lloyd Webber (that’s right, Andrew’s brother). He’s one of the world’s great performers and was deeply involved in the work’s writing, making various technical suggestions, which Glass, with a complete lack of ego... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful