The debut album of cellist Susanna Mendlow captures her lifelong passion for singing, with performances that resonate with a melodious essence. Titled “Travels with Cello,” the album encompasses a diverse collection of music spanning four continents, catering to a wide array of musical tastes.
At the heart of Mendlow’s album is her personal arrangement of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Sonata in F Major. Originally composed for Ferdinand David, the concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, this sonata is reminiscent of a mini-concerto. Mendelssohn himself found the ambitious scale of the piece challenging, and it wasn’t until violinist Yehudi Menuhin’s 1950s edit that it gained a place in the standard repertoire. In collaboration with pianist Michael Angelucci, Mendlow delivers a performance rich in vibrancy and nuance, especially during its lyrical passages.
Mendlow’s musical journey on the album begins in the rustic settings of Georgian villages, featuring an opening with the Five Pieces for Cello by Sulkhan Tsintsadze. Partnered with pianist Stefan Petrov, these pieces, dating back to 1950, are vibrant compositions rooted in Georgian folk traditions, including a piece inspired by the national sport of wrestling.
The album also embraces contemporary works, showcasing Mendlow’s dedication to modern music. It features solo cello compositions by Julia Adolphe and Noam Faingold. Adolphe’s “White Flag” (2009) delves into themes of conflict and surrender, while Faingold’s “Between Words” (2013) explores, as the composer describes, “the hidden ‘inner’ space between words when we have something to say, but feel compelled to hold back.”
Completing the album are Mendlow’s renditions of the lively Bulgarian folk dance “Daichovo Horo,” characterized by its unique nine-beat rhythm, and the emotive “Milonga Sin Parabas” by Argentine tango legend Astor Piazzolla. In these selections, Mendlow’s delicate shading is effectively complemented by Petrov’s sensitive piano accompaniment.
The album is available now on the Acis label.
