Alisa Weilerstein plays:
- Chopin and Rachmaninov.
Alisa Weilerstein’s recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto, and her subsequent recording of the Dvorak cello concerto were both enthusiastically received. Now she and Inon Barnatan are out with a new album featuring the Rachmaninov Sonata in G minor for Cello and Piano, along with the Chopin sonata in the same key. There are also a few shorter pieces for our enjoyment: Chopin:
- Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65
- Étude Op. 25 No. 7 in C sharp minor, as arranged by Franchomme for cello & piano.
- Polonaise brillante Op. 3 for cello & piano
Rachmaninov:
- Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19
- Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14
Performed by Alisa Weilerstein (cello) and Inon Barnatan (piano). Chopin’s Cello Sonata in G minor is one of the few works Chopin wrote for instruments other than the piano; and it was the last of his works to be published in his lifetime. By contrast, Chopin’s ‘Introduction and Polonaise Brillante’ is one of his first published compositions. Full of bravura and verve, it has an undeniable feel for the spirit of the dance and a distinctive theme. Then Chopin’s Etude – essentially a nocturne – brings a dramatic change of character and mood. When Alisa Weilerstein and Inon Barnatan perform together, audiences are thrilled. This CD sets a new benchmark for recordings of these great works, and this exceptional quality of music-making is certain to set the bar for a long time. Here is Alisa Weileretein in Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor Op. 85:
