Michal Balas, Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester, Christian Erny - Haydn: Cello Concertos (CD)

Michał Balas presents two cello concertos by Joseph Haydn with passion

The young Polish cellist Michał Balas devotes himself to Joseph Haydn's cello concertos with admirable dedication. Both concertos, the C major and the D major concerto, enjoy a special and magical reputation among cellists. ‘I believe that all cellists were brought up in the spirit that these pieces should only be approached with great respect - as with Bach's cello suites or Beethoven's sonatas,’ says the young cellist from Krakow, who is already on the threshold of a global career and is completing his Master's degree at the Hochschule für Musik in Basel. With this debut album, he brings a fresh and unbiased perspective to the central repertoire of his instrument.

In collaboration with conductor Christian Erny from Switzerland and the Kurpfälzisches Kammerorchester Mannheim, Balas presents the two Haydn concertos in a new light. He approaches the interpretation with courage and self-confidence, while at the same time maintaining respect for Haydn's masterpieces.

Balas' own and very individual cadenzas, which he introduces in the concertos, are particularly noteworthy. These cadenzas give an insight into Balas' personal perspective on Haydn's music and leave room for future interpretations. ‘I have great respect for the well-known cadenzas, such as those for the C major concerto that Benjamin Britten wrote for Rostropovich, or those by Haydn himself,’ says the cellist. ‘But they were each written for a specific performer, and as I had no intention of copying anyone else, I came up with my own cadenzas.’ For the first time in his career to date, by the way.

The recording of these concertos not only offers an outstanding artistic performance, but also an intensive exchange between soloist, conductor and orchestra. Balas and his team place particular emphasis on details that are often lost in the focus of cellists alone.

With this release, Michał Balas sets a new milestone in his musical journey and shows that the fascination for the works of Joseph Haydn is still alive today.