Nadège Rochat, the Swiss cello prodigy and international competition winner, makes her recording debut with this captivating album featuring the first cello concertos of Édouard Lalo and Darius Milhaud. Released in 2012 on the prestigious Ars Produktion label, this chamber music album is a testament to Rochat's warm tones and elegant expressions, accompanied by the Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen and conducted by Ola Rudner.
The album opens with Lalo's Cello Concerto in D Minor, a three-movement work that showcases Rochat's virtuosic technique and emotional depth. The concerto's dramatic opening, lyrical intermezzo, and triumphant finale are all rendered with exquisite sensitivity and precision. Following this is Milhaud's Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136, a work that contrasts the Romanticism of Lalo with the modernist idiom of Milhaud. Rochat navigates the concerto's nonchalant first movement, grave second movement, and joyeux finale with equal aplomb, demonstrating her versatility and mastery of the cello.
In addition to the concertos, the album also includes a selection of shorter works by both composers, providing a well-rounded exploration of their respective styles. The Divertissement by Lalo and the Scherzo in D Minor by Milhaud offer a delightful contrast to the concertos, showcasing the composers' playful and inventive sides.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 7 minutes, this album is a must-listen for anyone interested in chamber music, cello concertos, or the works of Lalo and Milhaud. Nadège Rochat's stunning performances, combined with the superb playing of the Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen and the insightful conducting of Ola Rudner, make this album a standout in the world of classical music.
