What Mozart did for the concerto for piano and orchestra, Boccherini did for the concerto for cello and orchestra, because like Mozart, Boccherini created a genre. For Boccherini, the cello concerto was filled with graceful, lyrical melodies; lightly dancing rhythms; and brightly colored accompaniments. In his series of recordings of the complete cello concertos,
Raphael Wallfisch has made the best possible case for Boccherini's achievement. In this third volume,
Wallfisch performs what were thought to be Boccherini's three final works in the genre plus a recently discovered work of possibly later vintage.
Wallfisch's tone is brilliant, his technique is virtuosic, and his interpretations are infectious.
Nicholas Ward and the
Northern Chamber Orchestra are relaxed and confident. Naxos' sound is clear, warm, and full.