Viktor Suslin, a composer featured on this album, was officially denounced as a 'disgrace' by the Soviet Composers' Association in 1979, leading to his emigration to Germany.
Recording & Production
This album features the first recording of the original version of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, which was only published in the 1990s.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Viktor Suslin's 'Chanson contre raison' is named after an old French love song and aims to exclude 'scientifically oriented' rationality, functioning as a 'Mephisto Waltz'.
Performer Biography
José Gallardo, the pianist on this album, began his piano studies at age five in Buenos Aires and later continued his education at Mainz University.
Performer Biography
Hyun-Jung Berger, one of the cellists on this album, has won numerous national and international awards, including the Gieseking Prize and first prize at the International Competition in Trapani.
Compositional Technique
Both of Viktor Suslin's works on this album, 'Chanson contre raison' and 'Ton H', utilize scordatura, a technique where the cello strings are retuned.
Instruments
Hyun-Jung Berger plays a violoncello made by Francesco Goffriller in Venice in 1726, an instrument whose sound is compared to that of Pablo Casals's cello.
You might also enjoy...
In Parallel
Rachmaninov & Ginastera for Cello & Piano
Cello and Piano Recital
20th Century Classics
Piazzolla, A.: Grand Tango (Le) / Bach, J.S.: Cello Suite No. 6 / Halvorsen, J.: Passacaglia in G Minor / Rachmaninov, S.: Vocalise
Chopin, F.: Cello Sonata, Op. 65 / Schumann, R.: Fantasiestücke / Debussy, C.: Cello Sonata in D Minor / Janacek, L.: Fairy Tale
