CD Review: Isserlis Has Guts

Bach, Viola da Gamba Sonatas (inter alia), S. Isserlis, R. Egarr (released on September 11, 2015) Hyperion CDA68045 | 59'50"

Charles T. Downey, CD reviews: Cellist Isserlis shows guts in Bach
Washington Post, October 18

Cellist Steven Isserlis plays on gut strings rather than the standard contemporary metal ones, a preference that limits his dynamic range at the loud end of the spectrum, but to which he remains devoted. The sound of gut strings has a “more human quality,” he said during a concert at Wolf Trap in 2013. Although he is not known principally for historically informed performance (HIP), he does collaborate with early music ensembles and specialists, like the fortepianist Robert Levin, with whom he will play Beethoven’s cello sonatas at the Kennedy Center on Oct. 29.

Another example is his new disc with harpsichordist Richard Egarr, the first recording Isserlis has made with that instrument... [Continue reading]

CONCERT NEXT WEEK:
Steven Isserlis (cello) and Robert Levin (fortepiano)
Washington Performing Arts
Kennedy Center Terrace Theater