Recommendations for solo cello recordings

[Limping_Pylon]

I have very little classical music in my collection but I do have a particular affinity to the sound of the cello.

What recordings and performers would people suggest I track down that show of this wonderful instrument?

I'd like to find solo works or arrangements that don't feature whole orchestras...

cheers

[tomjtx]

I have very little classical music in my collection but I do have a particular affinity to the sound of the cello.

What recordings and performers would people suggest I track down that show of this wonderful instrument?

I'd like to find solo works or arrangements that don't feature whole orchestras...

cheers

Any recordings by:

Yo Yo Ma
Rostropovich
Janos Starker (Bach cello on mercury living presence re-issued on CD is great)
Lynn Harrel

There are others , I'll ask some of my cellist friends and post

You will owe me a beer,...no wait, this is classical music.you'll owe me a wine:-)

[bergek]

If you ask me Bach's six suites for cello would have to be included. I like the recordings with Maurice Gendron.

[cormac_long]

The late Jacqueline du Pré was regarded as one of the greatest cellists that ever lived. Her recording of the Elgar cello concerto is reknowned and the piece alone is probably one of the best works ever written for cello as it demonstrates the range and power of the instrument.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacqueline_du_Pr%C3%A9

Also recordings by Paul Tortelier.. although seeing recordings of his are a lot better.. he had a real unique way of playing the cello and looked like he was high as a kite when he was playing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Tortelier

Other cello pieces that come to mind:

The Swan from Carnival of the Animals by Saint-Saëns.
Mélodie-Elégie by Jules Massenet (often covered on different instruments)
Rachmaninov Cello Sonatas

[Diana]

Among Heitor Villa Lobos's cycle of nine "Bachianas brasileiras", there are two for eight cellos (one with soprano). You'll recognise them, I bet. Enough 'cellos in one piece? ;-)

[Pale Blue Ego]

David Darling is a cellist who has made some ethereal recordings - not classical, not exactly new age, hard to classify, but very nice if you like the sound of this instrument.

Cello (1992) and Cello Blue (2001) are both excellent.

[Mongo]

Would have to agree with the recommendation for Bach suites for unaccompanied Cello. I have (2) versions of Starker (younger and older) and the Rostropovich. Prefer the later version by Starker but all are great.

[Limping_Pylon]

Great, I've located a local classical music store so I'm off to see what they have that I can have a listen to.

Pylon

[PhilNYC]

There's a Chinese cellist named Jian Wang, whom is known very much for the beautiful tone that he gets from his cello. He's not a "flashy" player...instead, compared to a lot of more famous cellists, he tends to really draw out notes and plays a lot more melodically. Three of his better recordings are:

-Presenting Jian Wang (Delos Records)
-The Baroque Album (Deutsche Grammophon)
-Bach: The Cello Suites (Deutsche Grammophon)

An interesting note...there is a documentary film called "From Mao To Mozart", about a trip made by Isaac Stern to China in the late 1970s to tour China's classical music programs. In the film, there is a scene of a 9 year old boy who plays the cello for Mr. Stern, and the performance was tremendous. Jian Wang was that boy...

[Gudrun241077]

hi,

if you like 20th century music, please listen to
- Kodaly - Sonata for Cello Solo, Op. 8
- Britten - 3 suites for Cello Solo

have fun,
Gudrun

[kanoot]

Wow - there are some excellent suggestions for some amazing music in this short post. Thanks everyone!