The Strad – Review of the Bach Suites
The Bach suites beckon to all cellist as Everest does to mountaineers. Part of the compelling attraction of both performing and listening to these works lies in the spiritual and ethereal qualities written in the counterpoint. Yet they are ostensibly dances, a feature that Tatjana Vassiljeva is always aware of in this clear and ambient recording. Her self-effacing and natural view synthesizes modern and period aspect of performance, and she delivers the music with a technically immaculate execution. Add to that an intelligent reading of the underlying harmony and the overall achievement, set against a very crowded gathering of interpretations, is impressive (…)
There is a great deal to recommend in this recording.
Joanne Talbot – The Strad
From Peaceful Meditation to Emotional Nostalgia – Concertonet.com
After the intermission, exuberant Russian cellist Tatjana Vassiljeva joined the Sinfonietta for Dvorák’s Cello Concerto, a standard repertoire for every cellist. Looking feminine, Ms. Vassiljeva was actually very masculine when she put her bow on the strings. In contrast to the orchestra’s soft-edged interpretation, her playing was a real ‘Grandioso’. The florescent tone and steely power was exactly what Dvorák needs, nonetheless, it was never brash and impudent.
Despite of possessing a projecting tone, Ms. Vassiljeva was very aware of her collaboration and balance with the orchestra, a crucial element for this symphony-like concerto. When she was playing some accompanying figures, her voice was so tender and gentle that it never overshadowed the orchestral melodies. Her affectionate expressivity was also tellingly exemplified in the slow movement, in which the rapt dialogues between the solo and the orchestra were lucidly brought to the surface. Her crisp articulation and teeming energy transformed the last movement into a Slavonic dance. The fervent climax at the end electrified the nerves of every attendee, whose fiery emotions could not be cooled down without an encore. Ms. Vassiljeva generously delivered two movements from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites, a cycle she recently recorded with Mirare. Tatjana Vassiljeva is definitely a cellist to watch.
Danny Kim-Nam Hui – Concertonet.com