Description
The Cello Concerto No. 2 from 1966 was composed around the same time as the highly emotional choral Symphonies Nos. 13 and 14 and displays a similar character of gloom and grim drama. The soloist presents the dark theme out of the depths and soon enters into brighter regions full of aggressive layers of sound. A wild conflict between soloist and orchestra follows, whereby the forced gaiety of the cello rages.
As a contrast, the soloist is in perfect harmony with the piano in Glazunov’s “Chant du Ménestrel”. Supported by warm chords, Rostropovich lets his instrument soar to the heights in a cultivated and thoughtful fashion and proves once again that he is truly a great interpreter of Russian music.
Alexander Glazounov
(1865-1936)
Chant du Menestrel
For Cello and Orchestra, Op. 71[4’08]
Dmitri Shostakovich
(1906-1975)
Concerto for Cello and
Orchestra No. 2, Op. 126
- Largo [13’50]
Allegretto[19’12]