François Servais: Cello Concertos

Didier Poskin (cello)

KBS Symphony Orchestra, Patrick Davin

The ‘Paganini of the cello’: that was how Berlioz and Rossini rated François Servais, one of the principal architects of the development of cello technique in the nineteenth century. Like Paganini, he wrote a substantial concert repertoire for his instrument, thus making up for the dearth of specific cello literature in the Romantic period; and it is a great joy to discover some of his key concertante works here, performed by one of his most eminent interpreters.

Ably supported by the orchestra of the Korean Broadcasting System under the baton of Patrick Davin, who has already been much admired for his contribution to the recording of the complete Vieuxtemps violin concertos, here is a discovery that should excite all lovers of panache and diabolical virtuosity!

Servais: Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 5
Servais: Fantaisie Burlesque sur le Carnaval de Venise, Op. 9
Servais: La Romanesca
Servais: Morceau de Concert, op. 14

October 2012

Poskin plays his demanding part with qualities that apparently marked Servais's own performances - boldness, tempered by sensitivity. It's not surpising, given the unusual technical challenges, that there are occasional moments of roughness and impure tuning. The accompaniments of the Korean broadcasting orchestra are spirited rather than refined...This music, eventful and often exciting, and played here with evident commitment, is well worth hearing.