BLOCH & ELGAR: CELLO WORKS – GARY HOFFMAN La Dolce Volta

Gary Hoffman had a project focusing on the end of the First World War: Schelomo was written during the war and the Elgar’s Concerto dates from just after the end of it. The presence of the war’s consequences is evident in the discourse of Elgar’s Concerto, his swansong, a kind of farewell to the world of yesterday. I think there’s an emotional dialogue between the two works. Although they are each different, there is a palpable tension, a tragic atmosphere…

We all have engraved in our musical memories Jacqueline du Pré’s exceptional performance of the fervent and passionate Cello Concerto composed in 1919 by Edward Elgar at the age of sixty-two. Her interpretation undoubtedly helped to propel this authentic and singular masterpiece beyond the exclusively English sphere. But there is also good reason to acknowledge that over time other instrumentalists have presented their own often magnificent but quite distinct readings.

This is demonstrated once again by the performance of Gary Hoffman with the Liège Royal Philharmonic Orchestra under its conductor Christian Arming. Here is an interpretation outstanding for its musicality and warmth.

In Bloch’s Schelomo, Gary Hoffman and Christian Arming detail the score with an almost improvisatory flexibility and sensuality: a great success! This is an ideal opportunity to (re)discover the music of Ernest Bloch, who affirmed his Hebrew roots in his music throughout his life.

BLOCH, SCHELOMO, RHAPSODIE HÉBRAÏQUE FOR CELLO AND ORCHESTRA

Lento moderato 9’04
Allegro moderato 5’36
Andante moderato 8’33

ELGAR, CELLO CONCERTO IN E MINOR, OP.85

Adagio – Moderato 7’39
Lento – Allegro molto 4’37
Adagio 4’53
Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non troppo 11’12