mcq wrote: There's a sense of studied contemplation to her playing which - somehow - never impedes the dancelike flow of this timeless music. I'm hoping she'll record the Britten cello suites for the great man's anniversary year. There's an understated lightness of touch to her playing married with a sense of contemplative grace that I find particularly affecting. Her version of the Elgar concerto is the polar opposite of Du Pre's - more introspective, not so outwardly expressive but just as powerful in conveying the emotional weight of the piece.
I think in those sentences, you have really nailed the essence and importance of Gastinel as a cellist... someone on CMG put me on to her some 3 or 4 years ago, and this Schumann disk is rather special. I will look out for other recordings in the future. Thanks, Paul.