Dvořák composed his Cello Concerto in America, shortly before returning to Europe, while Bloch composed "Schelomo" in Europe, shortly before emigrating to the United States.
Instruments
Marc Coppey performs on a rare cello by Matteo Goffriller, made in Venice in 1711, known as the «Van Wilgenburg» instrument.
Compositional Technique
Ernest Bloch's "Schelomo" personifies the cello as the voice of King Solomon, while the orchestra represents "the voice of his age, his world, his experience."
Performer Biography
Marc Coppey, the cellist on this recording, won the Bach Competition Leipzig at age eighteen and was invited by Sir Yehudi Menuhin to make his Moscow and Paris debuts.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bloch emphasized that the Jewish character of works like "Schelomo" came from the 'Jewish soul' and the 'despair of Ecclesiastes,' rather than ancient melodies.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in August and September 2016 at the rbb - Großer Sendesaal in Berlin, with Ludger Böckenhoff as the executive producer.
Composer Biography
Dvořák's Cello Concerto was influenced by his first love, Josefína Čermáková, who died while he was working on the piece; he included a quote of her favorite song in the slow movement.
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