Benjamin Britten - Cello Suites (Pieter Wispelwey)

Information

Composer: Benjamin Britten

• Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72
• Cello Suite No. 2, Op. 80
• Cello Suite No. 3, Op. 87

Pieter Wispelwey, cello

Date: 2026

Label: Evil Penguin Classic

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Benjamin Britten’s three Cello Suites represent a cornerstone of 20th-century solo repertoire, bridging Bach’s monumental classical traditions with a modern, expressive musical voice. Originally composed for and inspired by cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, these works blend rigorous formal mastery, dynamic dramatic imagination, and deep emotional resonance. In this landmark recording, acclaimed cellist Pieter Wispelwey presents an authoritative new interpretation shaped by a 45-year personal engagement with the repertoire. Through exceptional virtuosity and mature reflection, Wispelwey’s performance offers a definitive, nuanced exploration of these unyielding works for solo cello, illuminating their enduring historical and artistic legacy.

Dutch cellist Pieter Wispelwey is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso renowned for his mastery of both modern and period cellos. Trained by figures including Anner Bylsma and William Pleeth, he was the first cellist to receive the prestigious Netherlands Music Prize in 1992. His versatile repertoire spans from J.S. Bach to contemporary works, performed alongside leading global orchestras—such as the London Philharmonic and Leipzig Gewandhaus—under prominent conductors like Ivan Fischer and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Also a dedicated chamber musician and artistic director of the Beauvais Cello Festival, Wispelwey performs regularly on a 1760 Guadagnini cello and a 1710 Rombouts baroque cello.

High Resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz