Joseph Haydn; Josef Mysliveček - Cello Concertos (Wendy Warner)

Information

Composer: Joseph Haydn; Josef Mysliveček

1. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1: 1. Moderato
2. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1: 2. Adagio
3. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb/1: 3. Allegro molto
4. Mysliveček - Cello Concerto in C major: 1. Allegro moderato
5. Mysliveček - Cello Concerto in C major: 2. Grave
6. Mysliveček - Cello Concerto in C major: 3. Tempo di mineutto
7. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb/2: 1. Allegro moderato
8. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb/2: 2. Adagio
9. Haydn - Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major, Hob. VIIb/2: 3. Allegro

Wendy Warner, cello
Camerata Chicago
Drostan Hall, conductor

Date: 2013
Label: Cedille
http://www.cedillerecords.org/albums/wendy-warner-haydn-myslivecek-cello-concertos

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10  / SOUND QUALITY: 10

Haydn scholar H.C. Robbins Landon described Haydn’s D major cello concerto as one of the composer’s “weakest compositions”, an “uncomfortable” work, displaying “misjudgments of dramatic timing”, its concluding rondo “staid and melodically short-winded”. Whatever the theoretical, and to some degree subjective basis for that assessment, for most listeners, hearing this concerto will provoke nothing short of pure delight and appreciation for Haydn’s clever and catchy—and often virtuosic—thematic writing, buoyant rhythms, and thoroughly entertaining interplay between soloist and orchestra. There’s a reason why the work is represented on more than 100 recordings in the current CD catalog. And Wendy Warner’s addition to that number is a stellar confirmation of its popularity to audiences and particular appeal to performers.

That same popularity applies to the C major concerto, written in the 1760s, some 20 years earlier than the D major, yet only re-discovered in 1961 and given its modern premiere in Prague a year later. This work features even more brilliant bursts of virtuosic writing for the soloist—and Warner really digs in: you can just picture the flashing bow strokes, the swift, fluid motion of fingers, and a resultant musical enunciation that seems so easily and effortlessly produced, so absolutely natural, and so articulate and artful that you wouldn’t care if the tune were “Twinkle, twinkle little star”, you’d be just as impressed and satisfied. In fact, in view of the grand heap of Haydn cello concerto recordings, Warner’s playing places this one at the very top.

Warner’s impressive command of style and technique also serve to convince us that the “other” concerto on the program—a little-known work by Czech composer, and friend of Mozart, Joseph Myslivecek—is a more than worthy companion to the Haydn pieces; in fact, if you’re not paying very close attention, you won’t notice the transition from the Haydn C major concerto to Myslivecek’s work in the same key—the style and quality of Myslivecek’s composition makes an easy, almost seamless flow from one piece to the next. Combining this work with the two Haydn concertos was a smart bit of programming that, along with the unquestioned virtuoso performances of Wendy Warner, gives this disc an extraordinary value not only for collectors but for those who have yet to acquire a recording of these essential Haydn works. Praise for the orchestra and its conductor Drostan Hall must not go without mention—they are outstanding collaborators whose appropriately styled, energetic playing and remarkably tight ensemble complement every note and expressive utterance from Warner’s Guarneri cello. The sound, from College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, is consistent with Cedille’s highest standard. Don’t miss this.

-- David Vernier, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.gramophone.co.uk/review/haydn-cello-concertos-myslive%C4%8Dek-cello-concerto
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Sept13/Haydn_cello_90000142.htm
http://www.classical.net/music/recs/reviews/c/cdl00142a.php
http://www.allmusic.com/album/haydn-myslivecek-cello-concertos-mw0002564565
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Myslivecek-Concertos-Warner-Drostan-Cedille/dp/B00E4VUJXY

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Joseph Haydn (31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809) was a prominent and prolific Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the piano trio and his contributions to musical form have earned him the epithets "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet". Haydn's work was central to the development of what came to be called sonata form. At the time of his death, aged 77, he was one of the most celebrated composers in Europe. Haydn was a friend and mentor of Mozart, a teacher of Beethoven, and the older brother of composer Michael Haydn.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Haydn

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Josef Mysliveček (9 March 1737 – 4 February 1781) was a Czech composer who contributed to the formation of late eighteenth-century classicism in music. He was close to the Mozart family, and provided his younger friend Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with significant compositional models in the genres of symphony, Italian serious opera, and violin concerto. Mysliveček's compositions evoke a gracious, diatonic style typical of Italian classicism in music. In all, he wrote twenty-six opere serie, and a number of oratorios, symphonies, concertos, and chamber music, including some of the earliest known string quintets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Myslive%C4%8Dek

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Wendy Warner is a cellist from Chicago, Illinois. Warner began playing cello at age 6, studying with Nell Novak at the Music Institute of Chicago.Warner soared to international attention in 1990, winning the top prize at the 4th International Rostropovich Competition in Paris at age of 18, and subsequently began her studies with Mstislav Rostropovich at the Curtis Institute of Music. Warner's discography includes several recordings for Cedille, Bridge Records and Naxos. Warner teaches at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University in Georgia. She plays a 1772 Joseph Gagliano cello.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Warner

http://www.wendywarnercello.com/

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