Han-Na Chang delivers a set of seven Vivaldi cello concertos that
Rostropovich himself might have helped her shape; it's something of a throwback to the way Vivaldi was played in the 1970s. In most of the opening movements,
Chang stresses long melodic lines. The slow movements are laden with sentiment. Maximum contrast comes in the finales, which contain plenty of technical challenges that
Chang surmounts with elan.
Chang works closely with the
London Chamber Orchestra under
Christopher Warren-Green to work out lines that intelligently fit
Chang's phrasing even if one wishes at times that she had the stage a bit more completely to herself. The sound is clear and well suited to the disc's rather pop emotionalism. Sample well, but also give it a chance; the slow movements, especially, can grow into hypnotic worlds.