Kabalevsky: Cello Concerto No. 2; Schumann: Cello Concerto in A minor Theodor Lyngstad (cello)Copenhagen Philharmonic/ Eva Ollikainen OUR Recordings8.226926 53:29 mins

If you had experienced these performances in a concert, you'd be delighted with the calibre of playing and the neatness of orchestral partnership. Norwegian cellist, Theodor Lyngstad is an extremely talented performer, but electing to record Schumann's Cello Concerto really puts his artistry under the microscope. The main difference between this new version and some other highly rated recordings lies in the limited degree of nuance Lyngstad brings to the phrase and the chiselling of notes to create a delectable subtlety of line. This is especially the case in the opening movement, although the ensuing Langsam is gracefully delivered, with particularly astute voicing of the double stops. The finale fairly skips along but is still Jess shaped and strongly characterised than in Steven Isserlis's superb performance partnering Christoph Eschenbach and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie on RCA.
!t's a great idea to couple the Schumann with Kabalevsky's undervalued Second Concerto. His musical language, especially in the haunting and tender opening to the first movement, seems to combine the brittleness of Shostakovich with the melancholic melodiousness of Myaskovsky. Here Lyngstad is certainly eloquent. But direct comparisons with other highly regarded versions from Steven Isserlis and the work's dedicatee Daniil Shafran illustrate the limitations of this performance, which doesn't achieve the same level of poignancy and dramatic commitment. Lyngstad is dexterous, and technically impressive, but again far Jess compelling in terms of characterization. Ultimately, his playing brings fewer colours to the overall tonal and dramatic palette. jo Talbot*** June issue