Peter Martens; Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra; Bernhard Gueller - Henri Vieuxtemps; Camille Saint-Saens: Cello Concertos

Henri Vieuxtemps' fiendishly difficult but beautifully melodius Cello Concerto no.1 in A minor is the central work on this CD, which also includes Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto no.1, as well as his Allegro Appassionato, which is seldom heard in its orchestral guise. All these works are French / Belgian in origin and pioneered by the leading Belgian cellists of the day. South African cellist Peter Martens, who himself enjoys Belgian ancestry, is partnered by Bernhard Gueller, showcasing the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at its very best.