A “superb” new release from Antonio Meneses

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of winning the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in 2012, Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses’ latest recording for Avie is a great addition to the list of his many acclaimed recordings.  Conducted by Claudio Cruz and with the Northern Sinfonia, the new disc includes a couple of firsts: Antonio Meneses’ first recording of the Elgar Cello Concerto and the world-premiere recording of the Cello Concerto by Hans Gál.

Calum MacDonald of International Record Review says that”[...] Meneses has obviously immersed himself in the challenging solo part to produce a performance of considerable insight and confidence, distinguished by beautiful, aristocratic tone and great sensitivity to the work’s many and sometimes mercurial changes of mood. [...] Meneses invests the work with its full measure of elegiac dignity and poetry - aided, as in the Gál, by the sensitive and responsive playing from the Northern Sinfonia. [...] I would rate this one of the best current versions of the Elgar available [...] Altogether a very strong disc.”

Andrew Achenbach of Gramophone says that this is “a superb first recording of [Gál’s] Cello Concerto [...] Fortunately, it could hardly be more eloquently served than here: the commanding Brazilian virtuoso Antonio Meneses surmounts every hurdle with ease [...] Meneses proves immensely assured, big-hearted protagonist, and he forges a winningly characterful partnership with Cruz and the Northern Sinfonia [...] a hugely sympathetic and impressively stylish display. Boasting crystal-clear yet warm-toned sound, this enterprising issue can be welcomed with open arms.” To read the full review, please click here.

Antonio Meneses returns to work with the Northern Sinfonia early next year. For more information, please follow this link; he will perform at Edinburgh International Festival with pianist Maria João Pires on 14 August 2012 and at Aldeburgh Festival with the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra on 16 August.