Advantages: Gorgeous music, played with much passion
Disadvantages: None really

..., especially if the potential piece has real quality. How do we know if it is going to capture the audience's imagination if we don't even try?! Fortunately the record company Hyperion have always had a great philosophy about bringing out recordings featuring unusual repertoire, and this CD is a prime example of this. Combined with a soloist, the cellist - Alban Gerhardt - and a conductor - Carlos Kalmar - both passionate proponents of the musical path less travelled, they've produced a fascinating recording which should hopefully achieve a lot in making these works better known. Artists: Cellist Alban Gerhardt is one of the top international cello soloists on the circuit today, with a very wide-ranging repertoire, appearing with such orchestras as the Berlin Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, BBC Scottish... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Highly burnished, engaging, musically intelligent and emotionally mature playing; beautiful tone is never saccharine.
Disadvantages: Nil.

...It would be one of the most daunting works to take on for any musician, given the history of its recording, yet British cellist Natalie Clein decided to do it. It took her some ten years to get to the point where she felt ready to tackle it again for posterity, and this CD gives her good reason to be proud. ELGAR'S CELLO CONCERTO AND DU PRÉ So what's so intimidating about Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto? Besides its call in the performer for technical virtuosity and a mature musical understanding of the piece, the concerto has also been inextricably linked with Jacqueline du Pré (1945 - 1987), cellist extraordinaire, who was tragically struck down at the prime of life by multiple sclerosis. Her landmark 1965 recording, made when she was just twenty (with John Barbirolli conducting the London Symphony Orchestra), is still hallowed... Read review

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Advantages: It is simply one of the finest pieces of music ever written
Disadvantages: How dare you ask of any disadvantges!?!

..., and wrote a melody in 9/8 time. In May, Elgar, his wife Alice, and daughter Carice went to their summer residence of Brinkwells, a cottage in Sussex, for some rural relaxation and healing (Elgar loved the countryside). Finally, in August, he suddenly was attacked by a great surge of creativity. He had his piano taken out of storage and wrote a Violin Sonata in E minor, Op.82, which was soon followed by the String Quartet in E minor, Op.83 and Piano Quintet in A minor, Op.84. This sudden surge showed a new streak of creative development in Elgar's music that was more elusive, economical and a million miles away from his bombastic past. The three works were premiered in May 1919, after which Elgar set out on his great summation of this new style (as well as career): the Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85. There is not much documentation... Read review

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Advantages: The Best Recording Ever
Disadvantages: None

...Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 Jacqueline du Pre and the LSO, conducted by Sir John Barbirolli Madam, you have an instrument between your legs capable of giving pleasure to thousands, and all you can do is sit there and scratch it! So said the eminently witty conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, in reference to a lady ‘cellist. He certainly wasn’t, however, referring to the unmatchable Jacqueline du Pre, who, in my humble opinion, was the most gifted cellist ever and whose short, tragic life is somehow augured by this melancholic recording. It’s an EMI classic, which means that it’s an old, old recording, but so good that it shouldn’t be lost at the bottom of a pile of old vinyls at a jumble sale, but digitally re-mastered and made available for future generations on CD. The original... Read review

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Advantages: I love it
Disadvantages: size and cost of lessons music extra

...I remember to this day how I took up the 'cello, I was at a junior school in Staffordshire and I was asked if I wanted to take up the 'cello, this seemed like an excellent idea to a 6 year old, my sister played the violin so why not out do her!! For anyone who doesn't know what a 'cello is I am sickened by you but still I will explain; it is the second largest member of the string family, often described as a big violin. To me it is a gorgeous wooden instrument, it has 4 strings (A, D, G and C) and is played with a bow (long stick with horse hair attached at both ends, used for sword fighting with in the early days of playing) In the early days it was a bit of a pain, as a six year old I had to get my mum to move it everywhere for me, (fear of breaking and due to the size) I hated playing it, practise would end with hours of rows... Read review

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Advantages: fun, social opportunity, stimulating, rewarding
Disadvantages: big, difficult, not suited to the tone deaf

...since the age of 8, I took Associated Board exams 2,3,5,6 and 8 and I have taught the cello since passing grade 8 in 1994 and still practice regularly. I have taken on pupils of different ages and abilities including a child with special needs who loves his cello lessons. It has also inspired me to learn more instruments myself such as the bassoon and clarinet. Best cello recording has to be J. Du Pre with the Elgar cello concerto - timeless! I have two cello's one is called Charlie and the other is Pablo, although I don't have a favourite, Pablo is used more for public performance as he has a brighter sound. Cellos range from around £500 to £K's so if the bank balance is suffering this may not be the right instrument for you, yet. Strings can be expensive (for decent ones) but most city libraries will have an abundance of cello... Read review

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Advantages: Takes up less space, Value, Style, Use it with everything
Disadvantages: Difficult to operate, cables get in the way a bit.

...I had wanted to upgrade my small TV in the Bedroom for a while now, and with a wide range available it took some time to get the type we wanted for the price we could afford. After all we have just had Christmas, and didn't have a lot of money to splash out. We had been to Curry's but hadn't really seen the right one for us, so we headed off to Comet. They had similar tv's to Curry's but a few new ones. We wanted a Digital TV, with a built-in DVD Player, and the screen size had to be about 15", not too much bigger, as we wanted to save space (Hence the built-in DVD player and Freeview.) We came across the Cello TP-1510F, and for the price felt that it had everything we needed. We had never heard of the Brand Cello before, but felt it was worth the risk. After all, someones got to buy them. The Cello TP-1510F was a 15" Wide Screen... Read review

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Advantages: Innovative