Portrait Zara Nelsova (Remastered Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Suites) Zara Nelsova

• Antonín Dvořák (1841 - 1904): Cello Concerto, Op. 104:
• 1 Cello Concerto, Op. 104: I. Allegro 15:19
• 2 Cello Concerto, Op. 104: II. Adagio ma non troppo 11:09
• 3 Cello Concerto, Op. 104: III. Finale. Allegro moderato 12:55
• Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856): Cello Concerto, Op. 129:
• 4 Cello Concerto, Op. 129: I. Nicht zu schnell 11:12
• 5 Cello Concerto, Op. 129: II. Langsam 03:55
• 6 Cello Concerto, Op. 129: III. Sehr lebhaft 10:34
• Darius Milhaud (1892 - 1974): Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136:
• 7 Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136: I. Nonchalant 04:31
• 8 Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136: II. Grave 06:05
• 9 Cello Concerto No. 1, Op. 136: III. Joyeux 03:03
• Johann Sebastian (1685 - 1750): Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008:
• 10 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: I. Prélude 03:49
• 11 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: II. Allemande 03:04
• 12 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: III. Courante 01:36
• 13 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: IV. Sarabande 03:39
• 14 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: V. Minuetto I-II 03:23
• 15 Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008: VI. Gigue 01:51
• Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009:
• 16 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: I. Prélude 03:33
• 17 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: II. Allemande 03:40
• 18 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: III. Courante 03:32
• 19 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: IV. Sarabande 04:37
• 20 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: V. Bourée I-II 04:04
• 21 Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009: VI. Gigue 03:11
• Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012:
• 22 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: I. Prélude 04:53
• 23 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: II. Allemande 07:41
• 24 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: III. Courante 04:00
• 25 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: IV. Sarabande 04:56
• 26 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: V. Gavotte I-II 04:03
• 27 Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: VI. Gigue 04:07
• Luigi Boccherini (1743 - 1805): Cello Sonata in A Major, G.4:
• 28 Cello Sonata in A Major, G.4: I. Adagio 03:38
• 29 Cello Sonata in A Major, G.4: II. Allegro 04:11
• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827): Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 5 No. 1:
• 30 Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 5 No. 1: I. Adagio sostenuto - Allegro 17:08
• 31 Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 5 No. 1: II. Rondo. Allegro vivace 06:32
• Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 5 No. 2:
• 32 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 5 No. 2: I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo 05:04
• 33 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 5 No. 2: II. Allegro molto più tosto presto 09:11
• 34 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 5 No. 2: III. Rondo. Allegro 08:11
• Cello Sonata No. 5, Op. 102 No. 2:
• 35 Cello Sonata No. 5, Op. 102 No. 2: I. Allegro con brio 06:53
• 36 Cello Sonata No. 5, Op. 102 No. 2: II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto 08:21
• 37 Cello Sonata No. 5, Op. 102 No. 2: III. Allegro 04:13
• Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856): Fantasiestücke, Op. 73:
• 38 Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: I. Zart und mit Ausdruck 02:30
• 39 Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: II. Lebhaft, leicht 02:47
• 40 Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: III. Rasch und mit Feuer 03:22
• Johannes Brahms (1833 - 1897): Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 99:
• 41 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 99: I. Allegro vivace 06:57
• 42 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 99: II. Adagio affetuoso 07:03
• 43 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 99: III. Allegro passionato 06:05
• 44 Cello Sonata No. 2, Op. 99: IV. Allegro molto 04:28
• Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38:
• 45 Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppo 09:49
• 46 Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38: II. Allegretto quasi Menuetto 05:08
• 47 Cello Sonata No. 1, Op. 38: III. Allegro 06:15
• Dmitry Kabalevsky (1904 - 1987): Cello Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 49:
• 48 Cello Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 49: I. Allegro 06:40
• 49 Cello Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 49: II. Largo, molto espressivo 05:21
• 50 Cello Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 49: III. Allegretto 06:37
• Total Runtime 04:54:46

Info for Portrait Zara Nelsova (Remastered Cello Concertos, Sonatas & Suites)

A female cellist on stage in front of a big symphony orchestra – a rare sight during the first half of the twentieth century. Zara Nelsova, however, marked the beginning of a new era: she became a pivotal figure in the history of playing the cello. The RIAS recordings, made between 1956 and 1965, complement her discography substantially and include works which she never recorded for a commercial label.

A female cellist on stage in front of a big symphony orchestra - a rare sight during the first half of the twentieth century. Guilhermina Suggia and Beatrice Harrison were amongst the first to confront male competition. Zara Nelsova, however, marked the beginning of a new era. Born into a musical family of Russian descent, this artist became a pivotal figure in the history of playing the cello. Her instrumental prowess, her commanding stage presence and her distinctive personal style were irresistible. Alongside the younger Jacqueline du Pré, Nelsova conquered the world of the cello for women.

Zara Nelsova, cello
Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin

Zara Nelsova
was born in Winnipeg on 24th December 1917. Her parents had emigrated from Russia. In 1926 the family moved to London. While attending the London Violoncello School, Zara met the British cellist and music producer Eleanor Warren. When Zara Nelsova died in October 2002 Eleanor wrote her obituary for The Guardian. The obituary included the following insightful observation:

‘She was blessed with very strong hands and fingers, which were both flexible and able to stretch without difficulty. Her technique developed quickly, but, more important, was the instinctive, warm and beautiful tone which distinguished her playing, even at that early stage. As she grew up, she became somewhat spiritual, but never lost the sense of humour and friendliness that attracted all who knew her.’

Three years after moving to London Zara made her solo debut with the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Malcom Sargent. Zara later moved to Toronto with one of her sisters, Ida, the violinist. She immediately joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as principal cello. As recognition of her ability increased offers of solo engagements began to pour in. Despite this success Zara wanted to improve her technique and subsequently studied with Pablo Casals on a summer course in the Pyrenees.

As well as being a regular soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Zara taught at the Julliard School of Music, New York, and at the Aspen music festival in Colorado. Which brings us back to the painting by Lucia Tallarico-Lukman; through this work I discovered Zara Nelsova.

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