Steven Isserlis makes a compelling case for a re-evaluation of these late Saint-Saëns works for cello, both by his gorgeous playing and his highly entertaining liner notes. The concerto dates from 1902 and the sonata from 1905, but the musical language of the two works would not have seemed out of place 50 years earlier. This fact, combined with the phenomenal difficulty of the solo part in the concerto (occasionally written on two staves) has not helped the two pieces to gain a foothold in the repertoire--but if there's justice in the world, Isserlis' dramatic, lyrical, passionate and witty account of them should change that situation. He finds exactly the right tone of Gallic objectivity and restraint, without ever compromising the pathos of a phrase or the build up of tension necessary for some impressive climaxes. The sumptuous orchestral accompaniment involves some crystal-clear woodwind playing, and perfectly balances the solo part. Add Joshua Bell on top form in La Muse, and a supernaturally sympathetic pianist in the shape of Pascal Devoyon for the sonata, and you have a disc worth swapping your Stradivarius for. --Warwick Thompson