A Precocious Talent Shines Through

A superb showcase for the incredible talent of Andreas Brantelid.

Composer: Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky and Schumann
Repertoire: Cello Concertos
Artists: Andreas Brantelid (cello), Danish National Radio Orchestra/Schønwandt
Rating: 5/5

Genre: Instrumental
Label: EMI Classics 213 0382

He’s only 20 and what a sound! Brantelid, from Denmark, has already made a great career in Scandinavia, and this superb concerto debut-disc looks set to make his rise an international affair. He plunges in with three of the most demanding 19th-century concertos, each displaying a different side of his musicality – the flamboyant drama of Saint-Saëns, the virtuosity of Tchaikovsky and the Schumann, a tricky piece but one that Brantelid handles with intelligence and passion.