Search - Benjamin Britten, Pieter Wispelwey :: Cello Suites

Because We Can, That's Why!

John L. Anderson | Lynchburg, VA United States | 06/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Wispelwey performance of the three Britten suites for cello is up to and beyond his usual high standards. It's a shame that we in the U.S. haven't heard more of Wispelwey's recordings -- or more than just the usual, standard fare from the Britten repertoire. That alone makes this recording one to purchase and savor. My one beef with this Channel Classics hybrid, multi-channel SACD is that a multi-channel recording of a solo performance truly begs the question of "WHY?" Don't get me wrong, the recording is very well done, as are all of Channel's SACDs, but a stereo SACD recording would really have done the job here. Just my opinion, though -- I'd welcome any other input from other classical music lovers."

SACD/performance rules

Ricardo Escalante | Cotati, CA United States | 02/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm no expert on cello performances and perhaps it's the newness of the purchase, but--the sound is tremendous, especially since I can compare the multilayered SACD. For instance the stereo cd layer sounds good, but then listening to the same cd layer on the six channel (SACD)input sounds much better. Switched over to the SACD layer, the quietness of the sound is really noticable as is the detail and depth. All this together for a single beautiful instrument and to my ears a great performance is just amazing. I love the energy of Wispelweys playing. If you're trying to decide on the cd or the SACD then I recommend the SACD especially on this solo instrument where detail is crucial."

Concert Hall Realism Realized!

windsurfing_buddy | Albany, NY United States | 12/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The really neat thing about multichannel sound as realized here is that we are brought into the concert hall rather than attempting to bring the performer into our living room. This is as effective with a solo instrument as with a large orchestra - perhaps even more so because limitations of speaker size and amplifier power are less important in reproducing a solo instrument than they are in attempting to recreate the sound of a full orchestra. Britten's music is wonderful and Wispelwey is one of the most accomplished cellists playing today!"