NED ROREM: 'Cello suite & Double Concerto Naxos American Classics 8.559316 It dates from before the era of "extended techniques" which would be expected of a composer nowadays. Instead Rorem relishes the self-sufficiency of the rich-toned cello on its own, and his friendship with its splendid exponent, cellist Sharon Robinson. It is one of many examples of works which ought to challenge the hegemony of the ubiquitous Bach suites, which to my mind continue to be revered and over-played to the detriment of fine contributions to the genre by other composers past and present. The titles of the nine movements, added "after the fact, as when parents christen their babies", are not greatly helpful for listening. The Double Concerto for Violin & 'Cello also celebrates friendship with the two soloists, and it is a splendid contribution to that genre. Ned Rorem is a composer who has come into his own in later life and is well worth exploring in the Naxos American Classics series. Peter Grahame Woolf (See also Ned Rorem's songs.)
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