Natalie CleinBloch/ Bruch: Schelomo/ Nidrei [Natalie Clein/ BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra / Ilan Volkov] [Hyperion A67910]

First thing you notice from this new CD is the extraordinary playing of Natalie Clein.She offers total commitment, wonderful tone and control in both Bloch and Bruch.I played this, then at the end just had to listen through again. Clein reminds me of Fournier (for muscle) and Rostropovitch (for beauty), drawing out the profound meditative qualities found in the Bloch pieces. She lives and breaths Bloch, a surprisingly little-heard 20th century composer who, although a protestant by upbringing, was mesmerised by traditional Jewish themes, being drawn to the spiritual possibilities found there. The Bruch item Kol Nidrei, which is better known, may well now be the best version available. Ilan Volkov draws great power from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, with the recording (a demonstration one)striking perfect balance between cello and players. This release will do much to promote an over-looked composer, and I hope encourage recordings of Bloch's other works, such as the Israel Symphony or his choral works. One really wants to know more about Bloch after encountering Clein and Volkov's quality offering. This CD is one of the most satisfying releases of 2012, and I will be really surprised if it fails to win a pantheon of awards, and fame for Clein.

Bloch's Schelomo and From Jewish Life , Bruch's Kol Nidrei are all given superb performances by Natalie Clein with the BBC SSO and Ivan Volkov: in the orchestrated From Jewish Life Clein and the string players maintain a hushed intensity. To me Voice in the Wilderness is the disc's weakness, and Clein's persuasive playing cannot compensate for the orchestral music's shortcomings - I find it too episodic and would have been best used as film music. The beautiful lyricism of Kol Nidrei closes the CD in a much more relaxed mood than any of Bloch's pieces.

I mostly liked this album very much - a quality cellist. The only part I disliked was her own cello concerto of which I found only the adagio of interest.

My daughter and Natalie Clein were friends at school and so we have always kept up with Natalie's career. She is such a talent and artiste. This is a lovely, haunting CD.

A beautifully produced recording of absolutely superb mastery of the cello. Natalie's cello has a glorious tone playing music a little away from the mainstream.

good buy which was a gift for my husband he is absolutely delighted with it which is amazing for a man who has everything!

Very good performance.

It is a great CD. The performance of the music is superb.The pieces of Bloch and Bruch are all very good.