Richard Tognetti
Artistic Director and Lead Violin
Steven Isserlis
Cello
CPE BACH
Cello Concerto in A major W.172
RAVEL arr. Tognetti
Two Hebrew Melodies
BARGIEL
Octet in C minor Op.15a
BARTÓK
Divertimento for Strings
(audio sample, left)
CPE Bach’s Cello Concerto displays a harmonic audacity and florid virtuosity that will be thrilling in the hands of ACO regular, the stellar Stephen Isserlis. Renowned for his phenomenal technique and sensitivity, Isserlis is a perfect sparring-partner for the ACO.
Bartók and Ravel shared an interest in the native music of their own and other countries. Bartók’s Divertimento for strings blends neoclassical lightness with robust fiddling in the vein of Hungarian folk music. Ravel’s sensitive adaptation of two sinuous Hebrew melodies is in turn adapted for the ACO strings into arabesque songs without words. And an intriguing footnote in Robert Schumann’s biography. Bargiel, Schumann’s half-brother-in-law, was a fan of Schumann’s style and crafted an homage in his Octet, where Romantic bluster encloses a lovely slow movement.
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“The music world—and music itself—is infinitely richer for the presence of Steven Isserlis.” Gramophone
“Isserlis, almost trance-like, demonstrating how you can be a technical wizard and still give off a marvelous sense of joie de vivre.”
The Australian
“Isserlis seemed very much at home with the ACO – playing with a relaxed, supremely confident mastery that enlivened every phrase of a fine work.”
The Advertiser
“The ACO's delicate and sensitive accompaniment matches Isserlis's exquisite readings.”
The Australian