One of our upcomg releases in february is the “Elgar & Tchaikovsky” performed by the talented cellist, Johannes Moser together with Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, under the baton of Andrew Manze. Composed at the end of the First World War, Elgar’s powerful Cello Concerto in E minor is one of his best-loved and most deeply-felt works.Furthermore, no such dejection hangs over Tchaikovsky’s delightful Variations on a Rococo Theme which ooze elegance, ineffable charm and daring displays of technical brilliance. Read Johannes Moser’s notes about his personal connection with the repertoires.
Elgar and Tchaikovsky both look back to a brighter past: Elgar cries a farewell to Old Europe (so beautifully described by Stefan Zweig) which was annihilated in the First World War prior to him composing his highly emotional concerto in 1919. Tchaikovsky on the other hand pays an homage to his idol W.A. Mozart by writing a theme in a Mozartian style and cycling through eight utmost delightful yet quite classical variations.
To come closer to the composers, it was important to me to record the Original Version of the Rococo Variations, as well as closely studying Elgar’s handwriting and the vast amount of minute detail which can be found in his magnificent score as well.
The album is already available on PENTATONE website, two months before the official release date.
