Samuel Barber: Orchestral Works, Volume 2

Samuel Barber (1910 - 1981)
Cello Concerto, Op. 22 - Medea, Op. 23 - Adagio for Strings, Op. 11
Wendy Warner, cello
Royal Scottish National Orchestra
Marin Alsop conducting
Naxos

Samuel Barber's lyrical Cello Concerto is here offered together with a suite from the ballet music for Medea, originally written for Martha Graham. Best known of all Barbers music is his evocative Adagio for Strings, a work of deep feeling that has earned a firm place in American repertoire.

Acclaim

Robert Berkovitx
"Wendy Warner's recording of the Barber Cello Concerto is a more satisfying account than the recordings by Yo-Yo Ma, Steven Isserlis or Raphael Wallfisch. Each of these other recordings commend themselves for various reasons, but Ms. Warner's account brings together a searching musicality, technical command, poignant lyricism, and a beautiful stereo acoustic."

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Tracks

Cello Concerto, Op. 22

1.Allegro moderato - 12:51
2.Andante sostenuto - 07:22
3.Molto allegro e appassionato - 09:14

Medea Ballet Suite Op. 23 (1947)

4.Parodos - 03:14
5.Choros. Medea and Jason - 05:01
6.The Young Princess. Jason - 03:28
7.Choros - 03:30
8.Medea - 07:46
9.Kantikos Agonias - 02:27
10.Exodos - 03:18

Adagio for Strings, Op. 11

11.Adagio for Strings, Op. 11 - 07:47

"Guest cellist Wendy Warner of Chicago, an exquisite musician with expressive style reserved usually for metropolitan venues, graced the stage at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. She masterfully executed her featured role in "Antonin Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B Minor, Opus 104."

— Post Crescent, October 3, 2010