Skyros Quartet, Introspective Odyssey, Quartets by Britten, Turina, Sibelius

Three fine quartet works from the early 20th century by composers known more for their work in other configurations? That would aptly describe the Skyros Quartet's Introspective Odyssey (Navona 6005). The ensemble gives us luminous, first-rate performances of Benjamin Britten's "Three Divertimenti" (1936), Josquin Turina's "La Oracion del Torero" (1925), and Jean Sibelius's "String Quartet in D Minor, Op. 56, 'Voces Intimae'" (1909).

All three works have not necessarily been in the spotlight much in recent times. The Turina is brief, flamenco inspired with impressionistic touches, very delightfully direct. The Britten work is from his student days, but shows us a composer already well on his way to developing a personal, very original voice and gives us a good early view of what was fast-becoming his tempered modern outlook. The Sibelius, as so properly and subtly done by the Skyros Quartet on this recording, shows us especially well the intimate, reflective side of Sibelius, already moving from romanticism to Sibelius's own inimitable blend of impressionistic and post-impressionistic sound worlds, to the special Northern-European style he constructed out of a combination of personal lyrical inspiration and the folk echoes of his native Finland.

To hear all three of these works so well done is a rare treat. The Skyros Quartet make more of the music than some others have done. They take to each piece with a ravishing, articulate, sonically appealing approach that has passion more than sentiment, fully coherent phrasing and a sort of introspective reading that is true to the album's title. They give you plenty of reasons to appreciate the works anew.

For all these reasons I applaud the Skyros Quartet heartily. These are performances for our times. The music speaks readily and eloquently. Recommended!

Emmanuelle Bertrand, le violoncelle parle (The Cello Speaks)

I have heard and been impressed with cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand on a number of recordings (and reviewed at least one on these pages). But it is only on hearing her unaccompanied solo CD le violoncelle parle (The Cello Speaks) (Harmonia Mundi 902078) that I realize the full extant of her artistry. The CD/DVD set was released several years ago (2011) but of course it is as relevant today as ever.

The CD covers four works, Benjamin Britten's "Suite for Solo Violoncello no. 3 op. 87," Gaspar Cassado's "Suite for Solo Violoncello," Pascal Amoyel's "Itinerance," and Zoltan Kodaly's "Suite for Violoncello op. 8." The accompanying DVD has Ms. Bertrand in performance excerpts from the recording session, conducting a lesson and speaking to us on her playing, the works and what it all means to her.

Her performances of the works are no less than superb. Her incredibly beautiful tone, especially in the lower register, her technical prowess, intelligent interpretive acumen, and her magnificent expressivity put her at the very top of the pack, a cellist for now and for the ages.

Listen to the work by her pianist partner Pascal Amoyel. It is about those who suffered in Auschwitz. The Semitic dance passages and the part for singing voice and cello are absolutely haunting, supremely transcending and compassionate in Ms. Bertrand's hands. So too the Kodaly, an extraordinarily demanding work she plays with such artistry and skill that the work opened up for me as if for the first time.

The DVD is moving, revelatory, a testament to her love for the instrument, for music, for the works she performs here.

In every way this is a recital that stuns in its excellence. You must not miss it!