Immerse yourself in the timeless elegance of Pablo Casals' "Encores and Transcriptions, Vol. 2," a captivating collection of classical masterpieces released on April 1, 2004, under the prestigious Naxos label. This album, spanning a little over an hour and fourteen minutes, is a testament to Casals' virtuosic prowess and his deep connection with the cello.
The album is a diverse journey through the world of chamber music, featuring arrangements that showcase Casals' unique interpretations and transcriptions. From the delicate "Gavotte" from Bach's English Suite No. 6 to the fiery "Flight of the Bumble-bee" from Rimsky-Korsakov's "The Tale of Tsar Saltan," each piece is a showcase of Casals' technical brilliance and musical sensitivity.
Highlights include the hauntingly beautiful "Song without Words" by Mendelssohn, the lively "Mazurka" by Popper, and the iconic "Air on the G String" from Bach's Overture No. 3, all masterfully arranged for cello and piano. The album also features lesser-known gems like the "Serenata Napoletana" by Sgambati and the "Tonadilla" by Cassado, offering a fresh perspective on the cello repertoire.
Casals' playing is characterized by its warmth, expressiveness, and impeccable phrasing. His interpretations are not just technically flawless but also deeply emotional, drawing the listener into the heart of each piece. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
"Encores and Transcriptions, Vol. 2" is a celebration of Pablo Casals' artistry, capturing the essence of his performances and providing a glimpse into the soul of one of the greatest cellists of all time.
(C) 2004 Naxos(P) 2004 Naxos
Tracks
English Suite No. 6, BWV 811: Gavotte (Arr. F. Pollain for cello and piano)Johann Sebastian Bach, Pablo Casals, Nicolai Mednikoff
Serenata napoletana, Op. 24, No. 2 (Arr. A. Bouman for cello and piano)Giovanni Sgambati, Pablo Casals, Nicolai Mednikoff
3 Pieces for Cello & Piano, Op. 11: Mazurka, Op. 11, No. 3David Popper, Pablo Casals, Nicolai Mednikoff
12 Danzas españolas (Spanish Dances), Op. 37, No. 5. Andaluza: Spanish Dance [arr. P. Casals for cello and piano]Enrique Granados, Pablo Casals, Nicolai Mednikoff
Cello Concerto in D Major: Grave ed espressivoGiuseppe Tartini, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
RequiebrosGaspar Cassadó, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 3, No. 11, RV 565, II. Largo: L'estro armonico: Concerto Grosso in D Minor, Op. 3, No. 11: Largo (Arr. J. Stutschewsky for cello and piano)Antonio Vivaldi, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Komm susser Tod, BWV 478 (Arr. A. Siloti)Johann Sebastian Bach, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Cello Sonata No. 6 in A Major, G. 4: Sonata No. 6 in A Major: AdagioLuigi Boccherini, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Cello Sonata No. 6 in A Major, G. 4: Sonata No. 6 in A Major: AllegroLuigi Boccherini, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Lied ohne Worte, Op. 109, MWV Q 34: Song without Words No. 49 in D Major, Op. 109Felix Mendelssohn, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Violin Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: Sonata No. 2 in A Minor, BWV 1003: Andante (Arr. A. Siloti)Johann Sebastian Bach, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Zigeunermelodien (Gypsy Melodies), Op. 55: IV. Songs My Mother Taught Me [arr. H. Grunfeld for cello and piano]Antonín Dvořák, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Tale of Tsar Saltan, Op. 57: The Tale of Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumble-bee (Arr. For trombone and piano)Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Violin Sonata No. 10 in E Major: Gavotte (Arr. A. Piatti)Giuseppe Valentini, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Tonadilla (Arr. G. Cassado for cello and piano)Blas De Laserna, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Duo for Violin and Viola No. 6 in C Major, Hob. VI:6: Sonata for Violin and Viola in C Major: MinuetJoseph Haydn, Pablo Casals, Blas Net
Overture (Suite) No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air, "Air on the G String" [arr. A. Siloti for cello and piano]Johann Sebastian Bach, Pablo Casals, Otto Schulhof
Kinderszenen (Scenes of childhood), Op. 15: VII. Träumerei [Dreaming] [arr. For cello and piano]Robert Schumann, Pablo Casals, Otto Schulhof
6 Minuets, WoO 10, No. 2 in G Major: Minuet No. 2 in G Major, WoO 10 (Arr. For cello and piano)Ludwig van Beethoven, Pablo Casals, Otto Schulhof
Coriolan Overture, Op. 62: Overture to Collin's Coriolan, Op. 62, "Coriolan Overture"Ludwig van Beethoven, London Symphony Orchestra, Pablo Casals
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