Alisa Weilerstein - Shostakovich: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (2016)

It was in Shostakovichs First Cello Concerto that cellist Alisa Weilerstein prompted the Los Angeles Times to marvel: Weilersteins cello is her id… She and the cello seem simply to be one and the same.

Alisa returns with Shostakovichs cello masterworks Concertos 1 & 2.

Composed for the virtuosic cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, the coupling and contrasting of these two arresting works is irresistible: the anti-heroic, relentless, emotionally suppressed First Concerto set alongside the sarcasm and isolation of the Second.

Weilersteins interpretation is underpinned by her meeting Rostropovich a close friend of the composer when she was 22, playing Shostakovich for him and absorbing his advice and wisdom.

Her outstanding rapport with conductor Pablo Heras-Casado and the Symphonieorchester Bayerischen Rundfunks is evident in this new recording.

Tracklist:
01. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107 - 1. Allegretto
02. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107 - 2. Moderato
03. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107 - 3. Cadenza
04. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.1, Op.107 - 4. Allegro con moto
05. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.2, Op.126 - 1. Largo
06. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.2, Op.126 - 2. Allegretto
07. Shostakovich: Cello Concerto No.2, Op.126 - 3. Allegretto