Our American Roots

Emmanuel Feldman, cello • Joy Cline Phinney, piano

Gershwin • Barber • Walker • Copland

“Feldman’s big sound flowed authoritatively, communicating startling expressive power and control. With ardor and elegance, Feldman’s warm, handsome tone was flavored with the delectable ingredients of conviction and passion.” — The Wellesley Townsman

The foregoing is typical of the effusive critical response to Emmanuel Feldman’s marvelous cello artistry, wherever he unleashes it. In Our American Roots – his first recording for Delos – Feldman applies his prodigious talent and skill to an all-American program of music for cello and piano – to include a pair of rarely heard (and recorded) cello sonatas by Samuel Barber and George Walker. The remainder of the program consists of winning arrangements of beloved musical Americana: arias from George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess and his Preludes, as well as two movements from Aaron Copland’s ballet score Billy the Kid.

Feldman, a Curtis graduate, went on to study at the Paris Conservatoire Supérieur on scholarship before embarking on a singularly successful career encompassing solo recitals, chamber performances and concerto appearances with leading orchestras. He also teaches with distinction at Tufts University, Brown University and the New England Conservatory. Emmanuel, with the inspired and vibrant collaboration of piano sorceress Joy Cline Phinney, delivers his program with silky-smooth, yet robust tone and vivid musical colors, while alternating between spunky spirit and supremely soulful interpretive depth.

  • A varied program of seldom-heard American cello sonatas and well-crafted arrangements of beloved musical Americana
  • Playing of gorgeous tone and color, with (by turns) soulful and spirited interpretations
  • Superb collaboration from brilliant pianist Joy Cline Phinney

Track Listing

    George Gershwin
    Two pieces from Porgy and Bess arranged by Jasha Heifetz, adapted for cello by Emmanuel Feldman

  1. It Ain’t necessarily So
  2. My Man’s Gone Now

    3. Three Preludes arranged for cello and piano by Emmanuel Feldman

  3. Prelude I, Allegro ben ritmato e deciso
  4. Prelude II, Andante con moto e poco rubato
  5. Prelude III, Allegro ben ritmato e deciso

    6. Samuel Barber
    Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, opus 6

  6. Allegro ma non troppo
  7. Adagio
  8. Allegro appasionato

    9. George Walker
    Sonata for Cello and piano (1957)

  9. Alegro passionato
  10. Sonstenuto
  11. Allegro

    12. Aaron Copland
    Waltz and Celebration from “Billy the Kid” arranged for cello and piano by the composer

  12. Waltz, molto moderato
  13. Celebration, Allegro