Schumann's Cello Concerto -- long one of the standards and favorites of the cello repertoire -- was written in a flurry of activity in 1850. Although the composer did not live to hear his masterpiece performed on its intended instrument,
Schumann did see fit to make an arrangement (dedicated, of course, to
Joseph Joachim) for violin and orchestra. Because the composer himself saw fit to make such an arrangement, perhaps it should be a commonly accepted alternative. But purists out there are likely to be resolved that Op. 129 is undeniably a cello concerto. Nonetheless, violinist
Philippe Graffin, accompanied by the
Deutsche Radio Philharmonie Saarbrücken Kaiserlautern, has set out on this Onyx album to lay down a recording of the violin version. For his own part,
Graffin's playing is exemplary. His intonation is flawless, tone is beautiful, phrasing is impeccable, and connection with the orchestra is palpable. Still, the dark colors and the dolorous soulfulness of the cello is missing. The album continues with a completely satisfying reading of Clara Schumann's Op. 22 Three Romances for Violin and Piano with pianist
Claire Désert. The violin sounds much more at home here, and
Graffin's playing is allowed to shine without the need to compare it to another instrument. His intense Romanticism and expressive tone continue with
Schumann's Second Violin Sonata, a work
Joachim declared to be one of the most significant chamber compositions for his instrument to date. Whether an individual listener approves of the violin version of the cello concerto or not,
Graffin proves himself to be a formidable player with a tone and understanding of
Schumann's writing that yields highly enjoyable results.