What's better than a rousing and impassioned performance by one talented cellist? How about six talented cellists performing together? Such is the case of the ensemble
I Grandi Violoncellisti, a cello sextet based in South Africa. The cello, having the largest range of any of the string instruments, is uniquely suited to the success of such ensembles; the spectrum of sounds created is just as broad and diverse as may be found in a group of different instruments.
Dances for 6 features works by several South African composers. The first three works on the album seduce listeners with Latin American and Spanish forms, including an extremely sultry and harmonically complex tango by Hendrik Hofmeyr. The next four compositions are less nationalistic, but are just as seductively intriguing. Notable among these is the Antiphon by Alan Solomon, in which the cellists are separated during live performance to produce a more vibrant stereophonic sound; this effect is enhanced nicely in the recording. The album concludes with an arrangement of the South African national anthem, thus cementing the ensemble's love of its country and commitment to the arts there. The performance is quite strong throughout the album. Each piece has a different seating configuration, but the overall quality remains consistent. The ensemble takes advantage of the gamut of sounds, tone colors, and extended techniques that the instruments offer.