From Jewish Life

Album review

From Jewish Life features works for cello and orchestra by late-nineteenth and early twentieth century composers of Jewish descent (or, in the case of Max Bruch, interested in the Jewish musical folk idiom). The program is performed by cellist Jonathan Aasgaard and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (of which Bruch was a former musical director) under the baton of Gerard Schwarz. Despite the variety of works featured, the centerpiece of the CD is certainly Bloch's Schelomo, one of the composer's best-known and most frequently performed works. The piece is filled with passion, yearning, sweeping musical gestures, and variations in color and texture. Despite a technically proficient performance by orchestra and soloist alike, the aforementioned characteristic traits are notably absent. Aasgaard has a clear command of his instrument; intonation is pristine, rhythm is precise, and articulation is clear. What is absent, and what is single-handedly responsible for the demise of this album, is the virtual absence of dynamics from the soloist. Whether as a result of microphone placement, balance with the orchestra or an underpowered instrument, Aasgaard fails to reach much more than a mezzo forte throughout the performance and doesn't get much quieter than a mezzo piano. Regrettably, the remainder of the works on the album are subjected to the same lack of dynamic contrast. The overall result is an album that quickly grows tiresome and dull after just a few minutes of listening.
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