Phantasy in Blue (CD Review)

by Karl Nehring

Tchaikovsky (arr. Stefan Malzew): Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33; Vivaldi (arr. Itai Sobol): Cello Concerto in A minor, RV418;  de Falla (arr, Sebastian Gottschick): Siete canciones populares españolas ("Seven Spanish Folksongs"); Shostakovich (arr. Levon Atovmian): Prelude from the Gadfly, Op. 97; Elegy from The Human Comedy, Op. 37; Shostakovich (arr.  Louis-Noël Fontaine): Waltz No. 2 from Suite for Variety Orchestra; Gershwin (arr. Malzew): Phantasy in Blue (after Rhapsody in Blue). Alban Gerhardt, cello; Alliage Quintett (Daniel Gauthier, soprano saxophone; Miguel Vallés Mateu, alto saxophone; Simon Hanrath, tenor saxophone; Sebastian Pottmeier, baritone saxophone; Jang Eun Bae, piano). Hyperion CDA68419

 

Having been quite favorably impressed by a recording of the two Shostakovich cello concertos that the German cellist Alban Gerhardt (b. 1969) recorded for Hyperion three years ago (you can see that review here), plus being intrigued by the both the eclectic program and the unusual combination of instruments Gerhardt had assembled (cello and saxophone quartet plus piano playing music ranging from Vivaldi through Shostakovich to Rhapsody in Blue – what the heck?!), this was a CD to which I simply had to give a listen. It looked as though it would be a memorable listening experience one way or the other – either a dud or a delight. As Gerhardt and the Alliage Quintett began their musical journey through Tchaikovsky’s sprightly Variations on a Rococo Theme, it soon became clear that this CD would indeed prove to be a delightful musical listening experience, and so it came to pass. 

 

Gerhardt has cast a wide net across both time and space for his selections, the prize catch being the Gershwin. It is worth the price of admission for this recording just to hear him emulate the opening clarinet smear of Rhapsody in Blue on his cello. Whoa! Now, that’s a sound guaranteed to bring a smile to the sound of even the most jaded music lover, and the rest of the arrangement works surprisingly well, bringing this release to a rousing, triumphant conclusion.