Camille Thomas - Saint-Saëns & Offenbach (2017) [CD Rip]

The graphics for this Deutsche Grammophon release show the young Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas having a good time (with cello) in various European locations, and they capture the feel of the whole. Thomas states as her goal "to create a disc that would be filled with joy, emotion, and youth," and she hits this on the mark with tuneful music from start to finish. Saint-Saëns is conventionally in the "classical" sphere and Offenbach in the "light," but here they seem to go together naturally, and Thomas finds some unusual works to boot. Saint-Saëns himself arranged his Suite for cello and piano, Op. 16, for orchestra, and it's a sparkling, tuneful work. And if all you know of Offenbach is the famed Can-Can, sample the Introduction, Prière, et Boléro for cello and orchestra, Op. 22, for more tunes that you'll be humming after the disc or hard drive has finished spinning. With some nice bonus pieces from guest artists, this is an album that inhabits a youthful spirit rather than trying to scale the heights out of the box. Played with conviction, and highly recommended. ~ James Manheim