• Rarely heard works for cello and orchestra by three of the 20th century’s great composers

• Moser continues to thrill audiences around the world with his stunning virtuosity and creative programming

• Conductor Christoph Poppen and the Deutsche Radio-Philharmonie perfectly capture the essence of these colorful, demanding scores – from Martinu’s jazzy syncopations to Hindemith’s intricate counterpoint, to Honegger’s one movement work that combines both.

For his new concerto recording, Johannes Moser has selected three rarely heard 20th century concertos. All three composers had the misfortune of creating their highly individual, yet tonal scores, while Schoenberg, Stravinsky and Bartok were taking music in radical new directions.

The music of Czech composer Bohuslav Martinu has remained on the outskirts of mainstream classical music, though he has become somewhat of a “cult figure” for a growing group of admirers. Throughout his career he would experiment with many different stylistic approaches, from Neo-Baroque stylings to jazz – both of which are heard in his delightful concerto. Hindemith’s 1940 Cello Concerto, on the other hand, is the third and last of his Cello Concertos, which revives the concept of the soloist as a hero that admirably suits the temperament of the instrument.

Honegger’s single movement Cello Concerto, in contrast is an amiable, urbanely lyrical work, with a distinct admixture of jazz—an influence that came both from Ravel and Gershwin – though spoken with a French accent.

Charismatic cello super star Moser is joined by Christoph Poppen and the Deutsche Radio-Philharmonie whose orchestral support matches Moser’s enthusiasm for this music.

In short, all of the music is fantastic and the performances here more than do the music justice. If you are not familiar with these wonderful pieces, you should pick this disc up - you won't be disappointed.