Emmanuelle Bertrand

Emmanuelle Bertrand and Pascal Amoyel elicit a totally compelling narrative in the first movement. The ensuing Andante achieves a marvelous poetic lyricism that balances spontaneity with a tautly controlled sense of musical line, while the finale is dazzling and intense, and its forceful conclusion is delivered with captivating élan [...] This marvelous disc allows us to savour Grieg’s alluring harmonies to the full.

Emmanuelle Bertrand and pianist Pascal Amoyel have an exquisitely sensitive partnership, at its best in passages of lingering lyricism [...] I would keep this disc for its unique collection of Lyric Pieces, which the duo have themselves transcribed for cello and piano in subtly arrangements that play with a surprising variety of timbres and textures. Their delicate rendition of Vöglein using pizzicato and barely-there string chords is pure enchantment ****

La voix fragile du violoncelle dans l'aigu (opus 12 n°1), la profondeur apportée aux pages les plus sentimentales (opus 68 n°3), les jeux de timbre mis au service des plus folkloriques (opus 57 n°6), et plus généralement la volonté de créer un authentique dialogue entre les instruments font de ces transcriptions, jouées avec ferveur et sensibilité, une véritable réussite.                  

Emmanuelle Bertrand and Pascal Amoyel present an almost ideal performance of Grieg’s Cello Sonata. Supported by a wonderfully vivid recording, they elicit a totally compelling narrative in the first movement. The ensuing Andante achieves a marvelous poetic lyricism that balances spontaneity with a tautly controlled sense of musical line, while the finale is dazzling and intense, and its forceful conclusion is delivered with captivating élan.