Johannes Moser, Deutsche Radio Philharmonie, Christoph Poppen - Martinů, Hindemith, Honegger: Cello Concertos (2011)

Though their national heritages differed as widely as their musical backgrounds and mature musical language, contemporaries Martinu, Hindemith, and Honegger each turned their backs on the highly popular and influential serial movement and blazed their own paths. Their cello concertos serve as ideal illustrations; from the Czech infused rhythmic intensity of the Martinu to the lean, academic focus of the Hindemith, to the nearly palpable colors and textures of Honegger, these three concertos are highly individualistic yet work quite well together on a disc. Cellist Johannes Moser appears again on the Hänssler Classic label along with the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie under Christoph Poppen for performances as vibrant and intriguing as the compositions themselves. This type of music -- which combines elements of both demanding technical bravura across the range of the instrument with moments of passionate lyrical beauty -- seems to be Moser's forte. His left hand here is staggeringly precise, no matter how big the shift, how awkward the chord, or how rapid the passagework. This technical ease allows listeners to remove their attention from the actual execution of the score and instead focus on the enjoyable musical content. Moser's sound is quite powerful, though never forced, and from low to high pitches he penetrates the sometimes dense orchestration with ease. Poppen's orchestra is just as precise and nuanced as Moser, and their collaboration results in a truly enjoyable listening experience.