Prokofiev: Sinfonia Concertante/Cello Sonata

Bruno Philippe (cello), Tanguy de Williencourt (piano) & Hessischer Rundfunks Sinfonieorchester, Christoph Eschenbach

These exceptionally beautiful reappraisals are likely to divide listeners. Bruno Philippe’s command of the instrument can scarcely be gainsaid – his tone is simply glorious – but prizing lyricism and restraint over drama in late Prokofiev is not without risks...There’s Mendelssohnian delicacy and poise in the coupling too, regular collaborator Tanguy de Williencourt offering tactful rather than clangorous support.

With this new album devoted to Prokofiev, cellist Bruno Philippe continues his exploration of Russian music. Having already recorded a
recital of Rachmaninov’s and Myaskovsky’s Sonatas with Jérôme Ducros, here he is reunited with his long-time musical partner Tanguy
de Williencourt on the piano, but also with his mentor, conductor Christoph Eschenbach leading the hr-Sinfonieorchester Frankfurt. On
the program, Prokofiev’s (surprisingly?) romantic cello sonata, coupled with his Sinfonia concertante, that Mount Everest of technical
challenges – both works having been written for the great Rostropovitch, who gave them their first performances in 1950 and 1952.

Prokofiev:
 Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119
 Sinfonia Concertante in E minor for cello & orchestra, Op. 125