Amit Peled - The Jewish Soul (2009)

While perhaps the most famous composition focused on Jewish melodies for the cello is Ernest Bloch's Hebraic Rhapsody, Schelomo, there is an abundance of other literature in this genre. Bloch himself produced several other works for cello during his so-called Jewish Period, including Méditation Hébraïque and From Jewish Life. Max Bruch, who was not Jewish, also produced a well-known contribution, Kol Nidrei. Cellist Amit Peled features these popular works along with compositions by four lesser-known but equally gifted composers on his album, The Jewish Soul. Born in Israel and surrounded by traditional Jewish music during his youth, Peled has an intimate understanding of this program. He has a complete, thorough technical command of his instrument that he uses to accentuate the Jewish characteristics in the scores: exaggerated augmented seconds, mournful melodies, lively dance rhythms, and (in some instances) the use of quarter-tones and glissandos. For the most part, the piano accompaniment for these works is secondary to the more dominant solo line and pianist Eli Kalman does a nice job keeping out of the cello's way while not appearing meek or timid. For Bruch's often-played Kol Nidrei, Peled joins four of his students from the Peabody Conservatory for an arrangement for five cellos. Not only is this version beautifully composed with respect to the original score, but is executed with precision and great feeling.

Review by Mike D. Brownell