{"id":4364,"date":"2012-06-08T07:38:31","date_gmt":"2012-06-08T12:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=4364"},"modified":"2012-06-08T07:38:31","modified_gmt":"2012-06-08T12:38:31","slug":"cd-review-toronto-symphony-cellist-winona-zelenka-makes-all-the-right-connections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2012\/06\/08\/cd-review-toronto-symphony-cellist-winona-zelenka-makes-all-the-right-connections\/","title":{"rendered":"CD Review: Toronto Symphony cellist Winona Zelenka makes all the right connections"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
Winona Zelenka performs J.S. Bach at the Sharon Temple on Sunday at 2 p.m. (Elaine Ling photo).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

WINONA ZELENKA & CONNIE SHIH<\/strong>
\nConnections (Marquis)<\/em><\/p>\n

Despite being a full-time member of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, ex-principal cellist Winona Zelenka pursues other solo and collaborative work with an uncommon intensity. The latest product of her wide-ranging interests is a beautiful album of French music that straddles the 19th and 20th centuries, recorded with Canadian pianist Connie Shih.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The title of the album comes from the interrelationships between the four composers on the programme — Claude Debussy, Ernest Chausson, Gabriel Faur\u00e9 and C\u00e9sar Franck. But, despite the various levels and types of links between these four men, the four pieces\u00a0 Zelenka chose are very different.<\/p>\n

Debussy’s Sonata No. 1<\/em> is about contrasting colours and atmospheres. Chausson’s Pi\u00e8ce<\/em> is a sweet confection with a long, gorgeous arc, much like one of the composer’s finer m\u00e9lodies<\/em>. Papillon<\/em>, by Faur\u00e9, is a gossamer technical study. Frank’s four-movement Sonata for Cello and Piano<\/em> is a monument of classical structure.<\/p>\n

The whole makes for a satisfyingly textured programme that allows both cellist and pianist to show off their elegant musicianship. Zelenka teases a seemingly infinite range of sounds from her bow, and both artists display a deceptively easy virtuosity.<\/p>\n

I would personally have liked to hear a bit more bite from the Franck Sonata<\/em>, but that would contradict Zelenka and Shih’s careful commitment to the light, singing style that is considered to the the hallmark of French music from this period.<\/p>\n

This record very much deserves to be on any cello lover’s playlist.<\/p>\n

The release date for the disc is still pending. For more information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Note that Zelenka performs at the second of four Music at Sharon concerts on Sunday at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

The gorgeous wooden neoclassical temple erected by the Children of Peace couldn’t be a more perfect setting for Zelenka’s interpretation of three Suites for Unaccompanied Cello<\/em> by J.S. Bach (Nos 1, 3 & 6). it should create a beautiful world of musical and visual proportion, augmented by the pastoral setting outside the tall, narrow windows.<\/p>\n

For details, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here is Zelenka playing the Sarabande from Suite No. 5<\/em>, courtesy of CBC Music:<\/p>\n