Poulenc, Miaskovsky, Britten: Works for Cello & Piano (2008)

Cellist Natalia Gutman was a relatively unknown entity in the United States despite having taken Russia and much of Eastern Europe by storm decades earlier. Her reticence to enter the international arena is befitting her modest personality, but quite contrary to the fervor and brazenness with which she attacks her instrument. Many members of her family were exemplary musicians, including violinists who studied with the great Leopold Auer. As such, Gutman was surrounded by consummate musical models for her entire life. Her ... Read More

Cellist Natalia Gutman was a relatively unknown entity in the United States despite having taken Russia and much of Eastern Europe by storm decades earlier. Her reticence to enter the international arena is befitting her modest personality, but quite contrary to the fervor and brazenness with which she attacks her instrument. Many members of her family were exemplary musicians, including violinists who studied with the great Leopold Auer. As such, Gutman was surrounded by consummate musical models for her entire life. Her own studies were extensive, culminating with several years of instruction with Rostropovich. Although she is perfectly comfortable as a soloist, her greatest love is chamber music, as this album featuring the sonatas of Poulenc, Myaskovsky, and Britten so clearly demonstrate. Critics of Gutman's playing will jump on her rather free-and-easy interpretation of rhythm, with which she uses throughout her performances. Most notable on this CD in the Britten sonata, these rhythmic freedoms... Read Less