Alisa Weilerstein - Solo (2014)

The long-awaited solo album from Deccas star cellist sees Weilerstein revealing and reveling in her technique

The 20th Century was significant in affirming the cellos place as a premiere solo instrument

Between 1900 and 1960 over 160 works were written for solo cello the most ground-breaking of these forms the centerpiece of this recital: Zoltan Kodalys Solo Sonata, composed in 1915

Calling for left hand pizzicato as well an alternative tuning of the cellos lower strings, Kodalys Sonata was far ahead of the time in which it was written and explored every facet of the cello, revealing what could be done with this instrument

Many of Kodalys works are based upon Hungarian folk songs & dances, and this theme inspires the rest of the album, with works from the in-vogue Argentinian composer Osvaldo Golijov, across the world to the Chinese composer Bright Sheng

Shengs work is based on seven tunes from China (Seasons, Guessing Song, The Little Cabbage, The Drunken Fisherman, Diu Diu Dong, Pastoral Ballade, Tibetan Dance). Golijovs Omaramor is a musically playful fantasia inspired by Carols Gardel (the Argentine tango specialist); and Gaspar Cassados Suite, consisting of three dance movements, quotes the Kodaly work

The most substantial item of additional content, the Ligeti sonata, has two movements: the first has a (modal) melody deliberately written with a typical Hungarian profile, heavily influenced by Kodaly; the second is a virtuosic piece in sonata form

Committed to expanding the cello repertoire, Alisa is a fervent champion of new music and this release is her first solo album

The American cellist has attracted widespread attention worldwide for her combination of natural virtuosic command and technical precision with impassioned musicianship. The intensity of her playing has regularly been lauded, as has the spontaneity and sensitivity of her interpretations. Following her Zankel Hall recital debut, New York Magazine wrote: Whatever she plays sounds custom-composed for her, as if she has a natural affinity with everything.