Praised for his “impressive refinement, eloquent phrasing, and singing tone” by The New York Times, American cellist Matthew Zalkind has performed throughout the United States and abroad as a recitalist, soloist and chamber musician.

As a soloist, Zalkind has performed concerti with such organizations as the, the Albany Symphony, the Hongzhou Philharmonic, Musica Viva Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Utah Symphony, the Tongyeong International Music Festival Orchestra, the Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra and the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra.

Zalkind has also performed concerti with conductors Ludovic Morlot, Thierry Fischer, Giancarlo Guerrero, David Alan Miller and several others.

On his solo debut recording, JS Bach, Kodály & Brown: Music for Solo Cello, the acclaimed cellist truly puts his best foot forward with his interpretations of works by JS Bach, Michael Brown and Zoltan Kodaly.

JS Bach (1685-1750)
1-6 Suite No. 6 in D for Solo Cello BWV 1012 (30:00)
Michael Brown (b. 1987)
7-9 Suite for Solo Cello
Zoltán Kodály (1882-1967)
Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8

Playing all his works on a rare Italian cello made by Florentine Maker Luigi Piatellini in 1760, Zalkind takes Bach's work first and although playing by all the noted rules, still manages to make the half hour his own.

Always safe in the knowledge that these works he has chosen to bring together as one already possess a strong sense of kinship between the composers, with each one exploring the vast expressive and technical possibilities of the solo cello, Zalkind's movements within Brown's (who is also a close friend and colleague of his) are simply divine.

But for me, it's his take on Kodály's daunting Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 8 that has become my go-to for return play. The eloquent phrasing along with the magnificent inflections and nuances of the Hungarian folk music make Zalkind's work crispy soar with perfectly astute harmonies.

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www.MatthewZalkind.com