Paul Christopher & Ruth Drummond - Artist's Gift: Jacques Offenbach Cello Duets Opus

Paul Christopher is Assistant Professor of Low Strings and Music Theory at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He also serves as Principal Cello of the Longview (TX) Symphony Orchestra and as Assistant Principal Cello of the Peter Britt Music Festival Orchestra. Mr. Christopher chairs the String Division of the Louisiana Music Teachers Association and has authored articles that have been published in the Jacques Offenbach Society Newsletter, Strings Magazine and the American String Teacher Magazine. His recording experience includes studio work with the Nashville String Machine. The cello played by Mr. Christopher is a modern instrument made especially for him by the husband and wife luthier team of Moes and Moes, when they were located in Stamford, CT (they have since moved abroad). This album is the 4th in a series of recordings, available on Human Metronome label, devoted to the cello music of Jacques Offenbach. Offenbach is best known as the 'Father of French Operetta,' most famously for his tune 'Can Can.' Less well known is that he was first and foremost a child prodigy on the cello, from a town near Frankfurt, Germany, 'Offenbach am Main,' and wrote a series of duets as a teaching method for the cello. Mr. Christopher has virtually 'discovered' this fact for the repertoire and is endeavoring to set down for record all of the previously-unrecorded works of this incredible 'Master of Melody.' Offenbach's salon pieces, duets and solos are all quite catchy, intriguing, memorable and enjoyable. After listening, one will invariably find the tunes recurring over and over in the mind. The melodies stick with you and are extremely pleasant. On the duet pieces, Ruth Drummond plays the Cello 2 parts. She and Mr. Christopher are equals in the mastery of cello performance. Hailing from Shelbyville, KY, and a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in music, she plays an Italian instrument circa 1750 (Milanese), Certificate by Dario D'Attili. This instrument has a rich, low tone and was originally built as a church bass. Ruth is the Principal Cellist of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the Baroque Artists of Shreveport (LA). The Offenbach Duet recordings by Christopher and Drummond, contained on Human Metronome's CD-1, 'The Gift of Melody,' were chosen by ZCZ Films in London (UK) as background music for their great 2006 Documentary Film, "Toulouse Lautrec: The Full Story." Mr. Christopher's devotion to the instrument, and also to the Offenbach treasures, is a true joy to behold. Ms. Drummond's expertise is delightful. The works collected and performed on this CD will bring a happy smile to all who listen. Enjoy!

1) A minor Op. 21: 1. Allegro
2) A minor Op. 21: 1. Adagio Religioso
3) A minor Op. 21: 1. Allegretto
4) F Major Op. 21: II. Allegro Maestoso
5) F Major Op. 21: II. Cantabile
6) F Major Op. 21: II. Rondo (Allegretto)
7) BB Major Op. 21: III Adagio/Tempo Di Marcia
8) BB Major Op. 21: III. Variation I
9) BB Major Op. 21: III. Variation II
10) BB Major Op. 21: III. Variation III (Andante)
11) BB Major Op. 21: III. Variation IV (Allegro)
12) BB Major Op. 21: III. Scherzo
13) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 1 Andante (F Major)
14) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 2 Moderato (C Major)
15) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 3 Larghetto/Moderato (C Major)
16) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 4 Andante (G Major)
17) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 5 Moderato (F Major)
18) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 6 Allegro/Allegro (F Major/Bb Major)
19) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 7 Cantabile/Moderato (G Major)
20) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 8 Cantabile (G Major)
21) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 9 Larghetto (D Major)
22) Melodies de "Anna Bolena" de Donizetti for VC Solo: No. 10 Allegro (C Major)