Catalogue

Summary:

For his solo debut solo recording, acclaimed American cellist Matthew Zalkind has chosen three works which, he explains, “have an especially strong sense of kinship, each of which explores the vast expressive and technical possibilities of the solo cello.” Johann Sebastian Bach’s cello suites represented such a high level of achievement that until Kodály composed his Sonata nearly 200 years later, barely a single significant work was written for solo cello. The Suite of 2012 by Michael Brown, a close friend and colleague of Zalkind’s, was influenced by both the earlier pieces and provides a perfect bridge between them.

critical acclaim
“impressive refinement … eloquent phrasing … singing tone … fine technique” – The New York Times

“darts around the instrument fearlessly … The sharply etched passagework in the Bach was startling, surpassing that of many world-class cellists.” – Washington Post

Tracklist:

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
Suite No. 6 in D  for Solo Cello, BWV 1012 (30:00)
1. I. Prelude (4:39)
2. II. Allemande (7:50)
3. III. Courante (3:45)
4. IV. Sarabande (5:10)
5. V. Gavottes (4:18)
6. VI. Gigue (4:17)

Michael Brown (b. 1987)
Suite (9:40)
7. I. Prelude (1:42)
8. II. Improvisational Sarabande (5:51)
9. III. Gigue (2:47)

Zoltán Kodály (1882 – 1967)
Sonate for Violoncello, Op. 8 (35:40)
10. I. Allegro maestoso ma appassionato (10:26)
11. II. Adagio (con grand’ espressione) (13:09)
12. III. Allegro molto vivace (12:04)

Total time: 76:00

Recorded December 12-14, 2017, in the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York
Produced and engineered by Judith Sherman
Engineering and editing assistant: Jeanne Velonis