Readings.com.au: Steven Isserlis

Schumann: Music For Cello

Track Listing -

Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
Adagio and Allegro in A flat major, Op. 70
Violin Sonata No. 3 in A minor, WoO 27 arranged by Steven Isserlis
Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12
3 Romances, Op. 94
5 Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102

Schumann’s affection for the cello ran deep. It was an instrument he had played in his youth, and considered taking up again when, at the age of twenty-two, an accident to his hand forced him to relinquish his dream of being a virtuoso pianist. ‘I want to take up the violoncello again (one needs only the left hand for this) and it will be very useful to me in composing symphonies’, he wrote to his mother. The sound of the cello played without the right hand would have been somewhat minimalist; but his love for the instrument is clearly demonstrated by the cello parts in all four of his symphonies, as well as in the concertos for piano and violin, and of course throughout his chamber music. As the great musicologist Donald Francis Tovey put it: ‘The qualities of the violoncello are exactly those of the beloved dreamer whom we know as Schumann.’

Tavener: Protecting Veil, Last Sleep of the Virgin, 2 CD Set

2CD Set

The Protecting Veil
Recorded: 28-29 May 1991, No.1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Steven Isserlis (cello)
London Symphony Orchestra, Gennadi Rhozdestvensky

The Last Sleep of the Virgin
Recorded: 24-25 July 1993, All Saints Church, Petersham
Iain Simcock (handbells)
Chilingirian Quartet

Angels
Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill

Annunciation
Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill

The Lament of the Mother of God
Solveig Kringelborn Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill

Thunder Entered Her
William Kendall
Winchester Cathedral Choir, Ian Simrock, David Dunnett & David Hill

Hymns of Paradise
Donald Sweeney, Gavyn Wright, Maciej Rakowski, Boguslav Kostecki, Ben Cruft, Jackie Shave & David Dunnett
Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Hill & Patrick Kernan

God is With Us (A Christmas Proclamation)
William Kendall
Winchester Cathedral Choir, David Dunnett

Music For Cello: Bloch, Elgar, Kabalevsky, Tchaikovsky, Strauss 2 CD Set

Bloch, E: Schelomo

Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto No. 2, Op. 77

Strauss, R: Don Quixote, Op. 35

Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo theme Op. 96

Tchaikovsky: Nocturne for cello & small orchestra (or cello & piano), Op. 19 No. 4

Tchaikovsky: Pezzo capriccioso, Op. 62 for cello & orchestra (or cello & piano)

Tchaikovsky: Andante Cantabile

JS Bach: Cello Suites, BWV 1007 - 1012, 2 CD Set

Hyperion’s record of the month for May is a major milestone for a performer at the zenith of his career—described recently in The Independent as ‘the stuff of legend’. Steven Isserlis’s award-winning discography spans his diverse interests in repertoire and his musicological enthusiasm, as well as demonstrating his supreme artistry and uniquely beautiful sound, and his first recording of the complete Bach cello suites is an indelibly important addition to the set.

Steven writes that ‘the Bach suites are works of such total perfection, such sublimity, that it is well-nigh impossible to feel ready for them’. He has proved more than adequate to the task and this release is a triumphant conclusion to an artistic pilgrimage.

Steven’s eloquent booklet notes reveal his personal thoughts about the suites, as well as extensive academic research. His is an interpretation that has come from his passionate involvement in the music rather than from following the various theories that abound in Bach scholarship, and he discusses it fully in an article which is a perfect complement to this wonderful release.

Why Handel Wagged His Wig

What did Haydn's wife use for curling paper for her hair?

What did Schubert do with his old spectacles case?

Why was Dvorak given a butcher's apron when he was a little boy?

In Why Beethoven Threw the Stew, renowned cellist Steven Isserlis set out to pass on to children a wonderful gift given to him by his own cello teacher - the chance to people his own world with the great composers by getting to know them as friends. In this second book he draws us irresistibly into the world of six more favourite composers, bringing them alive in a manner that cannot fail to catch the imagination of children encountering classical music for the first time.

Children's Cello

How to inspire your children to practice a musical instrument? Make a CD! Isserlis and Hough have designed a delight of short pieces ready to lure students from beginners to mini-virtuosos. Th ere are a wealth of composers – Nelson, Boccherini, Bridge, Faure, Bryars, Blake – plus a mixture of cello classics and littleknown personal favourites. Even Isserlis’ fi rst concert performance ‘Tarantella’! And lastly Simon Callow creepily narrates Isserlis’ own ‘Haunted House’. Th is is a terrifi c and deliberately diverse compilation made to intrigue. What a great way to learn! (Double 5 stars in the June BBC Magazine).

Ruth Gould is from Readings Carlton.

Why Beethoven Threw The Stew

Cellist Steven Isserlis sets out to pass on to children a wonderful gift given to him by his own cello teacher - the chance to people his own world with the great composers by getting to know them as friends. Witty and informative at the same time, Isserlis introduces us to six of his favourite composers: the sublime genius Bach, the quicksilver Mozart, Beethoven with his gruff humour, the shy Schumann, the prickly Brahms and that extraordinary split personality, Stravinsky. Isserlis brings the composers alive in an irresistible manner that can't fail to catch the attention of any child whose ear has been caught by any of the music described, or anyone entering the world of classical music for the first time. The lively black and white line illustrations provide a perfect accompaniment to the text, and make this book attractive and accessible for children to enjoy on their own or share with an adult.