Romberg: Cello Concertos Nos. 1 & 5

Kölner Akademie, Melkonyan, Davit, Willens, Michael Alexander

CPO 777 969-2

World-Premeire Recordings Rombergs Cello Concertos. Sic transit gloria mundi all those who occupy themselves with Bernhard Rombergs life and work are immediately reminded of this traditional piece of wisdom. At the beginning of the nineteenth century he was acclaimed as an excellent virtuoso on the violoncello and recognized as one of the most important composers of his times. Even during his lifetime, however, he was forced to experience how his star declined, his playing style was regarded as old, and his compositions vanished from concert programs. During the early years of the new century the members of the press enthusiastically showered superlatives both on his cello playing and his compositional capabilities. He was regarded as one of the most outstanding composers and one of the most consummate of all living cellists, as the first and greatest virtuoso on his instrument, who also as a composer was very significant (Leipzig, 1807). Rombergs cello concertos recorded here for the first time soon enjoyed great popularity. The press found that the Concerto No. 5 stood at the top among all violoncello concertos, a judgment that some fifteen yeas later, at the end of 1821, continued to hold as we read in a review of the partbook edition, according to which the work was in every respect one of the most beautiful concertos, and that this means one of the most beautiful of all for the violoncello is something that everybody knows. Here the concertos are interpreted by the prizewinning young cellist Davit Melkonyan, who has received many honors and was supported by the Yehudi Menuhin Live Music Now organization.

CD x 1

CPO

13.01.16

761203796922