A recital of encores is a venerable genre for cellists and other soloists, often requiring copious services from an arranger, but this one, by cellist Raphaela Gromes, has several new twists. It is a double album, for one thing, and that is not all to the good; compactness is a desideratum in the genre. However, big novelty is hinted at by the title, Femmes. Not all of the music is by female composers; Purcell and Mozart make appearances, though most of it is, and Gromes introduces some intriguing figures who excel in the ...
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A recital of encores is a venerable genre for cellists and other soloists, often requiring copious services from an arranger, but this one, by cellist Raphaela Gromes, has several new twists. It is a double album, for one thing, and that is not all to the good; compactness is a desideratum in the genre. However, big novelty is hinted at by the title, Femmes. Not all of the music is by female composers; Purcell and Mozart make appearances, though most of it is, and Gromes introduces some intriguing figures who excel in the miniature. Consider the elegant neoclassicism of the Tre Momenti for cello and string orchestra of Matilde Capuis. Major historical figures such as Clara Schumann and both Boulanger sisters are here, but the likes of Laura Netzel and Victoria Yagling will be known only to specialists, and nothing on the program is trite. Much of the music is arranged by accompanist Julian Riem, yet there are a surprising number of cello originals, mostly toward the end of the program. Gromes ends with "bonus tracks" that seem to be present in all media; two of these are from film scores (Gromes doesn't seem entirely comfortable in "Miss Celie's Blues" from The Color Purple), and one is a Billie Eilish tune to close. Nothing here is earth-shattering, but Gromes' release is enjoyable, her 1740 Bergonzi cello is glorious, and her effort broadens the field of available music by women. ~ James Manheim, Rovi
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Add this copy of Femmes to cart. $35.35, new condition, Sold by newtownvideo rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from huntingdon valley, PA, UNITED STATES, published 2023 by Sony Import.
Add this copy of Femmes to cart. $43.72, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2023 by Sony Classical/Sony Music (Sony Music).
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