22 April 2015
Zoe Knighton and Amir Farid revive Russian romanticism
Russian Cello is the most recent disc from duo Zoe Knighton (cello) and Amir Farid (piano). This CD was launched at the Melbourne Recital Centre on April 20th.
The Age writer Joel Carnegie wrote about his experience as follows "Nostalgia, poignancy and desire are considered trademarks of the quintessential Russian compositional experience. These emotional states were on display during a recital of cello works at Melbourne Recital Centre.
Revealing much about the stark terrain and beautifully harsh landscape of one of the world's largest landmasses, cellist Zoe Knighton and pianist Amir Farid presented a mix of late romantic and 20th-century material from Russian-born composers Rachmaninoff, Grechaninov, Glazunov, Stravinsky, Gliere and Prokofiev.
Endearing and earnest, the duo commenced the concert with the crowd pleasing Vocalise from Rachmaninoff – a performance that offered exquisite and at times surprising moments from the pair. Grechaninov's Sonata for cello and piano in E, Op.133 followed – with the contrasting and extended work allowing for jaunty dance-like sequences, floating cello lines, and vigorous melodic back and forths between cello and piano – requiring complete focus from Knighton and Farid.
Glazunov's Elegy in G minor, Op. 44 continued the exploration of mood, with cellist and pianist presenting a collection of emotional states, in this sombre lament for a deceased person. Knighton's reflective and "heart softening" cello lines in particular were particularly noteworthy.
Stravinsky's Russian Maiden's Song from his comic one-act opera Mavra set Knighton and Farid the task of depicting a woman embroidering in her living room. Gliere's Album Leaf No. 5 offered the pair space to indulge the audience with some quiet contemplation, and Prokofiev's Sonata in C, Op. 119 rounded out an well-rounded evening of hallmark expat Russian fare."
Zoe and Amir have many wonderful recordings to their credit on the Move Records label, including 'A Little French Cello', 'Argentine Cello', 'Beethoven Cello' and 'Mendelsson Cello'. Amir's solo discs 'Veiled Virtuosity' and 'Amir Farid plays Javad Maroufi' have both met with critical acclaim. All these titles are well worth hearing!
Further reading
Russian Cello
Enter the world of Russia. Zoe Knighton and Amir Farid present a mix of unknown works alongside much loved classics. The recording celebrates a romanticism in composition inspired by the combination of cello and piano.
Mendelssohn Cello
Mendelssohn is often regarded as a composer who lived a charmed life and therefore whose compositions lack a certain integrity or depth of expression. The gloriousness of his music, its likeability and his creativity in celebrating humanity are certainly primary reasons for his music's longevity.
Argentine Cello
More than just Piazzolla, hear the tango as presented by 7 fantastic composers and performed by two of Australia's finest young musicians, Zoe Knighton (cello) and Amir Farid (piano).
Beethoven Cello
Cellists often bemoan the lack of a cello concerto by Beethoven – and rightly so, but these eight works for cello and piano are the envy of many other instruments. The complete cello sonatas and variations of Beethoven are here on this two CD set.
