Catalogue

Summary:

Editor’s Choice “In the final movement of Anna Clyne’s DANCE…a bear-hug of a theme emerges through angry, percussive col legno snaps that is so beautiful, so heartfelt that it instantly drew tears on first hearing … Segev plays it here with dark tone and deep insight, closely supported by Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra… Here is a cellist with something to say” – Mark Pullinger, Gramophone

“The concerto as a whole is utterly personal, blending musical materials in a way that is entirely Clyne’s own … DANCE is the most impressive piece by Clyne that I’ve heard, and it’s an achievement for any new cello work to overshadow Elgar’s concerto, with which it’s paired here” ★★★★ – Andrew Clements, The Guardian

“Elgar’s concerto, an obvious choice, throbs with passion and heartache, well supported by the London Philharmonic and the conductor Marin Alsop” – The Times

“[Anna Clyne is] a composer of uncommon gifts and unusual methods” – New York Times

“Alsop impresses not only as a communicator and female role model; she is also an ambassador for classical music in the 21st century” – Financial Times

“Clyne wrote it [Dance]for Israeli–American cellist Inbal Segev, and the performer clearly has the work in her blood: this is a passionate, assertive account, Segev’s sound delectably reedy in the slow-moving melody of the poignant opening movement, and conveying a viol-like purity in the Górecki-like polyphony of the fourth movement… Segev gets exceptional support throughout the disc from the LPO under Marin Alsop, who are especially detailed and incisive in the sonic effects Clyne conjures…” – David Kettle, The Strad

“… Clyne’s work deserves a permanent place in the cello canon, while Segev’s magisterial playing makes this a disc to listen to again and again.” – Miranda Wilson, Strings magazine

“… Inbal Segev’s performance of the Elgar Concerto is poetic, passionate and phrased with a suppleness and spontaneity which make for absorbing listening… this is a bold and rewarding issue and deserves to be successful.” ★★★★ – Terry Blain, BBC Music magazine

“… a highly enthusiastic recommendation …” – Karl W Nehring, Classical Candor 

“… For those new to Clyne’s music, Segev and Alsop do full justice to this accessible, passionately charged and intense contemporary work. A fine performance of the Elgar is more than an appropriate bonus. Recommended.” – Leighton Jones, The Classical Review

“A truly sensational discovery…” ★★★★½ – Greg Keane, Limelight 

“Anna Clyne’s Dance is, without a doubt, one of the finest pieces I’ve heard this year…Clyne wrote Dance for cellist Inbal Segev, who presents it here with a compelling sense of ownership. All I can say is that her account of the solo line is impeccable; one can hardly imagine it played with greater conviction or intensity. Marin Alsop leads the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) in a tight, fervent accompaniment…” – Jonathan Blumhofer, The Artsfuse

“… Playing on a luscious-sounding 1673 Ruggeri instrument, Segev makes a persuasive case [for Dance] , backed by the London Philharmonic under Marin Alsop…” – Richard S Ginell, San Francisco Classical Voice

“Anna Clyne’s cello concerto DANCE was written for cellist Inbal Segev, who plays and fully inhabits it here, with the London Philharmonic under Marin Alsop. It’s an extraordinary work that is well worth your time …” ★★★★ – James Manheim, AllMusic.com

This formidable release features Inbal Segev performing Elgar’s emotive Cello Concerto coupled with DANCE, an inspiring new work by Grammy-nominated English composer Anna Clyne that was commissioned by Inbal. On this powerful recording, Marin Alsop conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Marin introduced Inbal to Anna, sparking a special synergy between the three women. While Anna was composing DANCE, a five-movement concerto inspired by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi, further connections ensued. Anna’s soulful and vibrant music combines cultures that include her Irish-English family, Polish-Jewish ancestry and Inbal’s Israeli-American heritage. Inbal expounds, “Anna’s music has an old-soul sensibility but is fresh and modern at the same time. This juxtaposition of old and new has always appealed to me; it suits my playing, as well as the tone of my 1673 Ruggieri cello.”

Inbal’s idea to record Anna Clyne’s DANCE alongside Elgar’s Cello Concerto is timely: the two works were composed exactly 100 years apart. Inbal enthuses, “It is so rewarding to record and perform the work of a contemporary female composer whose music withstands comparison with Elgar’s. The two pieces share a certain sensibility – a romanticism, warmth and humanity – that transcends any stylistic differences.”

Elgar’s Cello Concerto, written in the wake of World War I, is deeply reflective. Anna Clyne’s DANCE is optimistic and forward-looking. Inbal’s recording of these two cello concertos is timeless.

Tracklist:

ANNA CLYNE (b.1980)

DANCE for cello and orchestra
1. I. when you’re broken open (4:43)
2. II. if you’ve torn the bandage off (4:07)
3. III. in the middle of the fighting (4:18)
4. IV. in your blood (5:30)
5. V. when you’re perfectly free (6:13)

EDWARD ELGAR (1857–1934)

Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
6. I. Adagio – Moderato (7:50)
7. II. Lento – Allegro molto (4:32)
8. III. Adagio (4:45)
9. IV. Allegro – Moderato – Allegro, ma non-troppo – Poco più lento – Adagio (11:56)

Total time: 54:51

Inbal Segev, cello
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Marin Alsop, conductor

Recorded 3–5 September 2019, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London

Producer: Andrew Walton (K&A Productions)
Sound engineer: Deborah Spanton
Editing: Andrew Walton
Mastering: Deborah Spanton