Release Date: 08/12/2008
Run Time: 49:29

This is not your grandmother's cello ensemble CD; this may not even be your mother's cello ensemble CD. The Portland Cello Project is a group of pioneering musicians seeking to cast off any dust or stodginess associated with the instrument by exposing audiences to new music through the cello. The album opens with its only classical track -- an arrangement of Manuel de Falla's Danza del Fuego -- proving for the record that these are indeed all highly skilled, classically trained musicians. For the remaining 11 tracks, anything goes, primarily featuring transcriptions or original pieces by Portland-area musicians, incorporating other instruments and vocalists ranging from folk-sounding artists to near-operatic performances. The genres touched upon are as far reaching as the highly varied instrumentations; listeners get everything from the highly clever Robin Hood Changes His Oil, in which several quoted tunes will be instantly recognized, to the surprising arrangement of Britney Spears' "Toxic." Although all of the instrumentalists and vocalists on this album are obviously quite gifted and well-suited for this type of music-making, this is not an album to try to analyze, pick apart, or critique from a technical standpoint. Rather, it's a CD to just pop in your player, sit back, and have fun with. Yes, we can still just have fun?even with the cello. ~ Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

Be the first to review this product!

Release Date: 08/12/2008
Run Time: 49:29