Jewish composers
Erich Korngold,
Ernest Bloch, and
Berthold Goldschmidt each had different inspiration and motivation when they began writing their primary works for cello and orchestra.
Korngold had written a short cello concerto that was used in one of his film scores and was later expanded into the full concerto we know today.
Bloch was promoting his ideal of a new Hebrew musical idiom, and
Goldschmidt was reconstructing the lost manuscript he composed for
Feuermann. Despite their differences, the three epic works for cello and orchestra each share a remarkable breadth, profound emotional catharsis, and a utilization of the full range and technical abilities of the solo cello. Apart from
Bloch's Schelomo, these works are not frequently performed, a true injustice as they are each highly accessible and intensely moving. Performing the three works on this Avi-Music disc is cellist
Julian Steckel accompanied by the
Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie under
Daniel Raiskin.
Steckel's staggeringly precise technique is immediately noticeable; intonation is virtually flawless, passagework is effortless, shifts are clean, and right arm articulation is edgy and pronounced. Performing on a modern cello,
Steckel's sound is remarkably intense and rich with a wealth of tone colors and subtle nuance. Beyond mere execution,
Steckel brings real insight and intrigue to these concertos, making listeners sit up and take notice not only of his brilliant playing but of this worthwhile repertoire.