Vocalise: Russian Romances

Soulful, Touching

The best collaboration between musicians (Cellist & Pianist) I've heard. The music of this live recording is really alive, just like talking to your heart. One of the most touching recording I have. October 18, 2008

The Cello Sings in Place of the Human Voice

Cellist Mischa Maisky and his pianist collaborator Pavel Gililov continue their exploration of the cello as vocalist with these stunningly cello/piano transcriptions of Russian works for voice and piano. Maisky's tone and technique are often described as 'singing' in nature so in these transcriptions he is indeed in his element.

Included in this live recital recording are 'The Lark' (from Glinka's 'A Farewell to St. Petersburg'), 'How sweet it is to be with you', 'Do not tempt me needlessly', 'I recall that wonderful moment', by Mikail Glinka; 'Cradle song', 'None but the lonely heart', 'Frenzied nights', 'Night', 'It was in early spring (At the ball)' by Tchaikovsky; 'I Am Sad' by Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky; 'A Tear' by Moussorgsky; 'Romance for piano in E flat major' by Anton Rubinstein; 'Elegy: The Clouds Begin to Scatter', 'The Nymph', 'Eastern Song' by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov; 'Six Romances' by Anton Stepanovich Arensky; 'The burnt letter' by César Cui; 'A Wish' by Alexander Glazunov; 'Do not Sing, My Beauty', 'How fair this spot', and 'Vocalise by Sergei Rachmaninov; and some anonymous composer's works.

The captured sound of the recital is phenomenally fine and the applause seems as warm as the music. This is an album of beautiful songs as sung by the cello in the passionate hands of Mischa Maisky, partnered by Pavel Gililov. It is a winsome, nostalgic collection. Grady Harp, July 06
July 3, 2006

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