CD ECM Records Mstislav Rostropovich, Tatiana Melentieva - Alexander Knaifel: Amicta Sole

2005

Mstislav Rostropovich - violoncel
Tatiana Melentieva - soprana
Boy Choir Glinka Choral College, dirijor Vladimir Begletsov
State Hermitage Orchestra, dirijor Arkady Shteinlukht

Alexander Knaifel :
- Psalm 51(50) For Cello Solo
- Amicta Solo (Clothed With The Sun) For Soloists (Female) Of Soloists

For his ECM second New Series album, Russian composer Alexander Knaifel collaborates with incomparable cellist Mstislav Rostropovich on “Psalm 51 (50)”, and sets the uniquely pure voice of his wife, Tatiana Melentieva, amid the soloists of the Glinka College Boys Choir on “Amicta Sole (Clothed With The Sun)”. As with his previous disc “Svete Tikhiy”, which also featured two extended works, “Amicta Sole” brings together pieces that the composer describes as “quiet giants”, works that seem to slow down time with their very gradual and subtle development. “Psalm 51(50)” throws particular responsibilities on the soloist who must play “as if singing”, or in this case as if intoning the words of the psalm. “I had the feeling”, says Knaifel, “that only Rostropovich could articulate this text.”

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Composer Alexander Knaifel collaborates with cellist Mstislav Rostropovich on Psalm 51, which is held by some to convey the most comprehensive expression of emotions in the book of Psalms. Rostropovich is called upon to “sing” the Russian translation of the text, articulating it through the medium of the cello. One of the finest living cellists, Rostropovich draws out an astonishing array of colours and textures. The pure voice of the composer’s wife Tatiana, along with soloists of the Glinka Boys Choir, sings out the spiritual texts of Amicta Sole. Compelling listening.
Gavin Engelbrecht, Northern Echo