New Releases: Two Listening Library recordings featuring Julie Albers

Just ahead of new Principal Cellist Julie Albers’ performance of Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme this weekend, we’re excited to add two recordings to our Listening Library: Haydn’s second cello concerto and Brahms’ String Quintet No. 2. Both recordings are from a May 2014 concert but are being made available in the Listening Library for the first time.

This performance was a memorable part of the 2013-14 season, and just a few months later we shared the good news that Julie would become our principal cellist. As Pioneer Press critic Rob Hubbard wrote in his concert review:

Albers offered a quite impressive interpretation of Joseph Haydn’s Second Cello Concerto before joining four other musicians for an involving take on a Johannes Brahms String Quintet… The highlight was Albers’ lively, lyrical performance of the Haydn concerto. Albers made every movement sing, employing a rich, full sound, dexterous digits and a delicate touch. She brought a surprisingly tumultuous and troubled tone to the first-movement cadenza, summoning up an anxious mood that suited the work well.

Julie officially began her tenure two weeks ago, and this weekend you’ll have an opportunity to hear her solo with the SPCO at several concerts across the Twin Cities. (Tickets + Info)

And in case you missed it earlier in the week, here’s a great story about how Julie found her perfect cello.