It's truly remarkable what can be accomplished with skilled recording engineering. Although this album of duo works for viola and cello is not a multichannel SACD, it gives an uncanny impression of really being surrounded by the music as if the listener were on-stage with the performers. The exceptional recording quality of this disc is a definite bonus.
One may not think that there is an extensive repertoire available for viola and cello, but violist Sheila Browne and cellist
Wesley Baldwin disprove that supposition. In fact, they not only give listeners an entire album scored for that instrumentation, but an album filled with amazingly satisfying compositions ranging from
Beethoven to
Piston. Both Browne and
Baldwin have an impressive list of accolades to their credit, and their skills at their instruments are a clear reflection of their accomplishments. Additionally, the two play together as if they have played nothing but duo music. Their musical visions match perfectly, everything from articulation to bow stroke and vibrato is well-considered and provides an exceptionally pleasant listening experience.