Cello Concerto
R89
www.gramophone.co.uk
There is one review of Symphony
recordings in the Gramofile records on the net since 1983,
which is currently in print. The only other commercial recording,
on a 1970 Lyrita LP, is by Peers Coetmore with Boult and
the LPO. This is perhaps of historical interest only - there
are severe flaws in the performance which make it an almost
painful experience to hear.
Chandos CHAN8456
Wallfisch/Bournemouth Sinfonietta/Del Mar
Published September 1986
Written at the end of the Second World
War, Moeran's Cello Concerto is a dark, sombre work, in which
the prevailing feeling of sadness and regret is relieved only
at the beginning of the last movement by an Irish reel-like
tune, whose jauntiness soon however gives way to a more introspective
mood similar in feeling to the material of the first two movements.
It's an elusive piece, but repeated hearings reveal many passages
of exquisite beauty, and it is good to have it in such a sympathetic
and well-played performance as this. This 1969 Lyrita recording,
by Moeran's wife Peers Coetmore, for whom the Concerto was
written, gives an inadequate picture of the work, since her
insight is not matched by playing of sufficient strength or
skill. Raphael Wallfisch, on the other hand, plays with much
beauty of tone and phrasing and Norman Del Mar obtains eloquent,
high-quality playing from the orchestra.
The new record is most welcome...for the revelatory account
of the Cello Concerto.
AS
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Haymarket Publishing
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