"Rococo" isn't a word used so often anymore in connection with music; it describes an 18th century aesthetic characterized by light, decorative, perhaps frilly qualities. Seeing the word as the title of this recital by cellist
Edgar Moreau
makes you wonder if the album is intended to be an exploration of the rococo concept throughout history. That's not the case: the title refers only to
Tchaikovsky
's
Variations on a Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra, Op. 33
.
Chopin
Cello Sonata, Op. 65
, follows and is anything but rococo; it's a taut, complex performance, with pianist
David Kadouch
a committed partner, that does better than most in bringing out the strangeness and daring of this late
work. But the
may be enough to justify the title. This is one of the great light
works, and it's well-suited to
Moreau
's melodically rich, lyrical style. He's elegantly backed by the
Luzerner Sinfonieorchester
and conductor
Michael Sanderling
, and one of the variations, the third (Andante sostenuto), has even achieved a measure of virality in this streaming-happy age. The program closes with a half-dozen short pieces for cello and piano; again, they are not particularly rococo, but most listeners will find something to repeat here from among
's relaxed and rather charmed performances. Sample
Dvo¿ák
's famed
Humoresque, Op. 101, No. 7
, in its arrangement by
Fritz Kreisler
. This is a consistently pleasing release with convincing performances of two very different repertory standards. ~ James Manheim