Cellist Heinrich Schiff features as the soloist of the two world premiere performances of the cello concertos by the Austrian composer Otto M. Zykan (1935-2006). These are two important documentations of his career: one of his first recordings from the legendary Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna, and his last appearance as a soloist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Zykan’s two cello concertos are exuberant homages to Schiff’s virtuosity, and they are cleverly linked through their final passages, even if nearly 25 years passed between their composition. This recording illustrates an important aspect of Schiff’s musicianship: his enthusiasm for contemporary music. A recording not to miss in any collection!

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Recordings: Großer Saal, Musikverein, Vienna/Austria, 07 June 1982 (Tr. 1-3); 10 December 2005 (Tr. 4-6).