[santacore]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend some non-orchestral CD's that have a lot of cello and strings. Classical is fine as long as it's small group stuff and not full orchestra's. In addition, rock, pop, folk, and even bluegrass artists would be appreciated. I just really dig the sound of strings, in particular cello, but I'm not a huge fan of full orchestras. Just trying to get my fix in other ways. All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Martyn]

Well, Bach's Cello Suites seems like an obvious place to start...

[rockadanny]

I love these three, all on Naxos:

1. J.S. Bach - Cello Suites (Complete) - Maria Kliegel

2. Boccherini - Cello Concertos Vol. 1 Nos. 1-4 - Tim Hugh (cello); Scottish Chamber Orchestra; Anthony Halstead (conductor)

3. Carl Stamitz - Cello Concertos Nos. 1-3 - Christian Benda (cello); Prague Chamber Orchestra

You asked for "not full orchestra". These last two are smaller, chamber orchestras.

[Scott F.]

The first place to start is with Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax. These two guys are absolute rocks stars when paired together. The passion will just ooze out of your speakers.

Your first purchase should be....


If you are looking for something that is a little more aggressive try these Rachmaninoff, Prokifiev cello sonatas


Here is an Amazon search of Yo-Yo Ma. He has a plethora of recordings to choose from. Some accompanied, some not, some with orchestra, some in a small setting.

He is arguably one of the best cello players out there.

Enjoy the journey 

[santacore]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The 2 artists that I've really been enjoying are lately are Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. I haven't heard any of the Yo-Yo Ma that you guys just recommended, so I'll check those out. The Edgar Meyer stuff is really great too, especially when he plays with Bela Fleck or Mark O'Connor. I just love the sound of traditionally classical instruments, used in rock, folk, jazz, and bluegrass.

Keep those suggestions coming. Thanks!

[lonewolfny42]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The 2 artists that I've really been enjoying are lately are Yo-Yo Ma and Edgar Meyer. I haven't heard any of the Yo-Yo Ma that you guys just recommended, so I'll check those out. The Edgar Meyer stuff is really great too, especially when he plays with Bela Fleck or Mark O'Connor. I just love the sound of traditionally classical instruments, used in rock, folk, jazz, and bluegrass.

Keep those suggestions coming. Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/Appalachia-Waltz-Ma-Meyer-OConnor/dp/B000002C0Y/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1246632119&sr=1-17

Here's another Yo Yo Ma....always enjoyed this one...

Obrigado Brazil...

[richidoo]

Neo Camarata  is a string group which plays modern compositions. They have a modern sound that is easy to swallow compared to some of the more esoteric chamber music. The recordings are made at Skywalker Ranch so they are top quality. It is slightly compressed and a little blurred to make it easy for non audiopihles to enjoy the music without being "distracted" by the intense raw sound of real strings.  The compositions and performance are superb, it is a great intro to chamber music for popular music lovers.

When you outgrow that, try Julia Fischer's Bach Violin Sonatas on Pentatone. Or Beethoven String Quartets, I like Prazak's, but there are many. These are very listenable and rewarding but are easy harmonies.  If you start to crave something wild, Shostakovish and Schnitter Quintets on Naxos, or the Shostakovich and Britten Quartets CD by Jupiter Quartet. You'll need to rest after those.
Have fun!

[geezer]

I strongly second the Bach Cello Suites, but I prefer Janos Starker (two disks). His is a rich, luscious tone and he plays like he owns the suites.

[Christof]

Hey Guys,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend some non-orchestral CD's that have a lot of cello and strings. Classical is fine as long as it's small group stuff and not full orchestra's. In addition, rock, pop, folk, and even bluegrass artists would be appreciated. I just really dig the sound of strings, in particular cello, but I'm not a huge fan of full orchestras. Just trying to get my fix in other ways. All suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Wayne turned me on to Ron Carter....very good if you can locate a copy.


Do you use Pandora?  Try loading a Pandora channel with Ron Carter and some of the others mentioned in this thread...you should discover all kinds of neat stuff.

How about another Pandora channel with Les Claypool....a little edgy but serious on the strings add Victor Wooten to the channel.


Watch this: Red State Girl

[Mijknarf]

Try this one, terrific audio quality and many strings:

Missy Raines & The New Hip - Inside Out
http://www.amazon.com/Inside-Out-Missy-Raines-New/dp/B001NOMOE2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1246647825&sr=8-1

[mjosef]

A fellow cello fan here...just love the tone, and find myself picking up obscure albums once a cello is mentioned amongst the instruments.
Here is one that gets a lot of play in my listening hours...from ECM New Music series.
Garth Knox, D'Amore

Garth plays the viola d'amore with Agnes Vesterman on cello
The music is just beautiful.

Here is a pic of Garth's viola d'amore

[santacore]

A fellow cello fan here...just love the tone, and find myself picking up obscure albums once a cello is mentioned amongst the instruments.

I don't know what it is, but there's just something mesmerizing about the tone. Like I mentioned earlier I'm not a big classical fan, I just love stringed instruments. Like you, I find that I'm picking out obscure stuff because of the instrumentation.  One of my current favorites is a rock/alt. band call Sea Wolf. Their album "Leaves in the River" is a great mixture of moody pop and acoustic music. It's perfect for late night listening after a long day.

Thanks again to all that have given recommendations. I'm keeping a list so I can do some damage next time I hit Amoeba records.

[lonewolfny42]

....perfect for late night listening after a long day.

For cello...check out David Darling's recordings.....

[R_burke]

Heavy metal cello:
http://www.amazon.com/Apocalyptica/e/B000AQ2IYA/ref=ntt_mus_dp_pel

Semi Classical:
Joan Jeanrenaud - either strange toys or metamorphisis

[Bob in St. Louis]

In addition, rock, pop, folk, and even bluegrass artists would be appreciated. I just really dig the sound of strings..........

Hey guys,
Based on santacores first post, do you think he'd like the Brian Bromberg "Wood I" and "Wood II" release?

Bob

[LostInPA]

I particularly like the three Sonatas for Cello and Piano, by Bohuslav Martinu, played by Steven Isserlis (cello) and Peter Evans (piano) on Hyperion CDA66296.   

I like string quartets.   Here are some composers, mostly from The Americas and Eastern Europe, specific recommendations if you want them:  Alexander Zemlinsky, Leos Janacek, Biedrich Smetana, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Sylvestre Revueltas, Len Kirchner, Alfred Schnittke, Erwin Schulhoff, Alberto Ginastera, Zoltan Kodaly, Dmitri Shostakovich, George Antheil, Alois Haba, Josef Suk.   I even occasionally listen to the late quartets of Haydn!

Should you be adventurous and care to go beyond fully notated music and in to the realm of creative improvised music/instant composition, I recommend:

- Skipstone 01, Erik Friedlander, Block Ice & Propane (mostly solo acoustic);

- Tzadik 7715, Okyung Lee, nihm (with a varying cast of other musicians);

- CIMP 158, David Eyges (electric cello)/Arthur Blythe (alto sax), Today's Blues;

- Incus 53, Derek Bailey (guitar)/Tristan Honsinger (cello), S/T;

- Konnex 5191 (note, reverse polarity), Aynan Fanous (guitar)/Thomas Ulrich (cello), Labrynths;

- Neos 40809 (note, reverse polarity), Mary Oliver (violin, viola)/Johanna Varner (cello), JOMO;

- ICP 036, Tristan Honsinger, A Camel's Kiss;

- European Echoes 002, Thomas Ulrich (cello) with other musicians, Surface;

- Velour (no #), Rufus Cappadocia, Songs For Cello.

Sources:

- www.cadencebuilding.com, www.dtmgallrery.com, www.squidco.com for most items.

[carusoracer]

Martin Tillman- Eastern Twin
http://www.answers.com/topic/eastern-twin

Claude Chalhoub- Claude Chalhoub
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/globalcaravan/0302/chalhoub.htm

Great thread, keep em coming

[ted_b]

The ECM release called "Melos" is very very good.  Piano and cello; extremely well-recorded and a great album to listen to in the evening, with a nice glass of wine.

http://www.amazon.com/Melos-Vassilis-Tsabropoulos/dp/B001BOZ1P8



If you have 24/96 capability the latest Linn Records download of Pieter Wispelwey, Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 2..along with some great Benjamin Britten cello work, is amazing.  It's become a real demo favorite as well as an overall musical one.

http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-shostakovich-cello-concerto-no-2-Britten-Cello-Suite-No-3.aspx

[mal]

If you haven't already, you might want to give a listen to Zoe Keating.