Haydn & Zumsteeg: Cello Concertos

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The two cello concertos suffered a long journey filled with misplacement and mistaken identity. The C major Concerto was not discovered in modern times until 1961, and the authorship of the D major Concerto lay in question until the 1950s. All of this in the past now, these two concertos have taken their rightful place as cornerstones of the cello repertoire and are arguably the finest examples of early concertos for the instrument. One of Haydn's contemporaries, Johann Rudolf Zumsteeg, was also a highly prolific composer in the employ of nobility. Zumsteeg, who is largely forgotten today, produced an impressive 10 cello concertos; the A major Concerto is featured on this Cello Classics disc along with the two Haydn concertos. Cellist and Cello Classics founder Sebastian Comberti joins the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, a London period instrument ensemble. Comberti's performances are historically performed; to his and the orchestra's credit, the precise orchestral forces called for in each concerto's score are utilized. All three concertos are executed with technical accuracy. Both Comberti and orchestra show fine attention to intonation, articulation, and achieve a tight-knit ensemble. Compared to other fine recordings of the Haydn concertos, Comberti's tempi are sometimes overly cautious and reserved, particularly in the ordinarily vivacious finale of the C major Concerto. What's most problematic, though, is balance. The winds dominate over the sparse string sections and the solo cello line does not always sufficiently rise to the forefront. Comberti's dynamic palate also seems a bit narrow at times, which only contributes to the balance issue. The chance to hear Zumsteeg's concerto might still be enough for listeners to give this album a try.
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