Camille Thomas, the celebrated Belgian cellist, presents "Voice Of Hope," a captivating album released on June 25, 2021, under the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon label. This classical masterpiece spans a duration of 1 hour and 25 minutes, offering a rich and diverse collection of pieces that showcase Thomas's extraordinary talent and versatility.
The album opens with a poignant arrangement of "Deux mélodies hébraïques" by Louis Lewandowski, followed by a delicate rendition of "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice." Thomas's emotive performance in Henry Purcell's "Dido's Lamento" is a standout, demonstrating her ability to convey deep sorrow and longing.
A significant portion of the album is dedicated to Thomas's own compositions and arrangements, including the three-movement "Concerto for Cello and Orchestra 'Never Give Up'," which is a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Her adaptation of Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei" is equally compelling, blending traditional and contemporary elements seamlessly.
The album also features adaptations of famous operatic arias and art songs, such as "Pourquoi me réveiller" from Massenet's "Werther," "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore," and "Va, pensiero" from Verdi's "Nabucco." Thomas's interpretations of these pieces are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant.
In addition to these well-known works, Thomas includes lesser-known gems like "Songs My Mother Taught Me" from Smetana's "Gypsy Melodies" and Schubert's "Erlkönig" and "Gretchen am Spinnrade." Her rendition of John Williams's "Theme from 'Schindler's List'" is a poignant reminder of the power of music to evoke deep emotions.
Throughout "Voice Of Hope," Camille Thomas's playing is characterized by its warmth, expressiveness, and technical brilliance. The album is a testament to her artistry and her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. Whether you are a longtime fan of classical music or a newcomer to the genre, "Voice Of Hope" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Deux mélodies hébraïques, M. A22: I. Kaddisch (Transcr. by Richard Tognetti for Cello and Orchestra )Maurice Ravel, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 / Act II: Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Arr. by Mathieu Herzog for Cello and Strings)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626 / Act III: "When I Am Laid in Earth" Dido's Lamento (Arr. by Mathieu Herzog for Cello and Strings)Henry Purcell, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra "Never Give Up", Op. 73: I. Never Give UpFazıl Say, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Stéphane Denève
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra "Never Give Up", Op. 73: II. Terror - ElegyFazıl Say, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Stéphane Denève
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra "Never Give Up", Op. 73: III. Song of HopeFazıl Say, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Stéphane Denève
"Kol Nidrei" Adagio for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 47: I. Adagio ma non troppoMax Bruch, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
"Kol Nidrei" Adagio for Cello and Orchestra, Op. 47: II. Un poco più animatoMax Bruch, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Wesendonck Lieder, WWV 91: V. Träume (Arr. by Mathieu Herzog for Cello and Orchestra)Richard Wagner, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Gypsy Melodies, Op. 55, B. 104: IV. Songs My Mother Taught Me (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Antonín Dvořák, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Theme from "Schindler's List" (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)John Williams, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Werther / Act III: "Pourquoi me réveiller" (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Jules Massenet, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
L'elisir d'amore / Act II: "Una furtiva lagrima" (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Gaetano Donizetti, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Norma / Act I: "Casta Diva" (Arr. by Mathieu Herzog for Cello and Orchestra)Vincenzo Bellini, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Don Giovanni, K. 527 / Act I: "Dalla sua pace" (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Nabucco / Act III: "Va, pensiero" (Arr. by Mathieu Herzog for Cello and Orchestra)Giuseppe Verdi, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Erlkönig, D. 328 (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Franz Schubert, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Gretchen am Spinnrade, D. 118 (Adapt. for Cello and Orchestra)Franz Schubert, Camille Thomas, Brussels Philharmonic, Mathieu Herzog
Vater Unser (Version for Cello and Piano)Arvo Pärt, Camille Thomas, Julien Brocal