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Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante, Cello Sonata / Zuill Bailey

Release Date: 05/13/2016
Label: Steinway & Sons Catalog #: 30057
Composer:  Sergei Prokofiev Performer:  Zuill Bailey ,  Natasha Paremski Conductor:  Grant Llewellyn Orchestra/Ensemble:  North Carolina Symphony

World-renowned cellist Zuill Bailey has been called “One of the finest cellists alive today.” (Classical Net) This is Bailey’s third release on the Steinway label. For this programme, he has chosen two of Sergei Prokofiev’s mature and majestic works. The Sinfonia Concertante is one of the most difficult and exciting works for cello and orchestra. The piece premiered on February 18, 1952, and was dedicated to Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Pairing with the Sinfonia Concertante is the Cello Sonata. This lyrical work was also composed for Mstislav Rostropovich, and was written after much of Prokofiev’s music had been banned and the composer did not know if the work would ever be performed in public. Zuill Bailey performs here with Read more pianist Natasha Peremski and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Grant Llewellyn.

Album Credits:

Sinfonia Concertante recorded February 20-21, 2015 at Meymandi Concert Hall, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Cello Sonata recorded December 14, 2015 at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Clonick Hall Studio; Oberlin, Ohio.
Recording Producer: Thomas C. Moore, Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Recording, Mix, and Mastering Engineer: Michael Bishop, Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Assistant Engineer: Ian Dobie, Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Recording Editor: Thomas C. Moore, Five/Four Productions, Ltd.
Art Direction: Jackie Fugere
Design: Anilda Carasquillo

Reviews:

"Few cellists can successfully conquer the [Sinfonia concertante’s] extremes in tempos, rhythms, dynamics and emotions. Bailey’s mesmerizing, deeply committed performance puts this recording at the top, especially because of his warm, rounded tone and jaw-dropping clarity in lightning-speed runs. Equally impressive are Grant Llewellyn’s subtle, precise conducting and the N.C. Symphony’s alternately lush and spiky support. The recorded sound is vivid, crisp and spacious."
-- Roy C. Dicks, The News & Observer [5/7/2016]

"Bailey, the classical cello category killer, faces off against the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra in an incredible presentation of music as art that really deserves to be on the next Grammy ballot... A winner throughout.
-- MidWest Record [05/06/16]

"Tough-minded Prokofiev in the tradition of Rostropovich—and with the same sensitivity to the gentler side of this great Russian composer."
-- Audiophile Audition [7/23/2016]

"The rich, warm and elegant tone of Zuill Bailey’s 1693 Matteo Gofriller cello is the primary attraction of a new Steinway & Sons recording of major Prokofiev forays into cello composing...Bailey and Paremski make no attempt to give the sonata a profundity it does not possess, but they effectively mine it for its many beauties and produce a warm and satisfying rendition."
-- InfoDad.com [6/2016]
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