Sacred Cello

by Steven Sharp Nelson

Overview

Veteran studio musician Steven Sharp Nelson stepped out of a backing role and into the forefront with Sacred Cello, his debut effort. Having performed on over 100 albums previous to this inaugural solo project, he displays a penchant for improvisation even underneath a surface of meticulous precision. Nelson shows a mastery of tempo and dynamic contrast that evokes a surprisingly strong amount of emotion, even with what could be considered a familiar track list to classicists. There are no real surprises in the core lineup of hymns, but a stylish variety of classical and traditional work adds a sparkling flourish to the set. Among others, his unaccompanied rendition of the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major employs a stirring rubato, while he commands a rhythmic bassline in Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. These departures from strict Sunday fare give the album a tremendous lift. Guitarist Peter Breinholt and solo pianists Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, David Tolk, and Marshall McDonald take turns serving as guest stars. They are merely icing on the cake, however; each in his own way complements the album's flavor, which ventures into new age, folk, inspirational, and classical. From start to finish, Sacred Cello is bright, solid, unique, and enchanting. ~ Jared Johnson

Product Details

Release Date:	10/10/2006
Label:	Deseret Book / Stone Angel
UPC:	0650070001225
Rank:	94192

Tracks

1. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007~Prelude
2. Cantata No. 147, "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben," BWV 147 (BC A174)~Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
3. Clair de lune, for orchestra or other arrangement (from "Suite Bergamasque" for piano), L. 75/3
4. The Water Is Wide (after O Waly, Waly)
5. Be Still, My Soul, hymn (based on Finlandia)
6. Beautiful Savior
7. Work(s)~O Savior, Thou Who Wearest a Crown
8. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43~[Excerpt]
9. How Can I Keep From Singing? (My Life Flows On), song
10. Oh, My Father
11. All Creatures of Our God and King
12. God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Steven Sharp Nelson   Primary Artist,Cello
David Tolk   Piano
Peter Breinholt   Guitar
Giles Reaves   Keyboards,Percussion
Jon Schmidt   Piano
Marshall McDonald   Piano
Paul Cardall   Piano

Technical Credits

Marshall McDonald   Arranger
Paul Cardall   Producer,Cover Design,Arranger
Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
David Tolk   Arranger
Peter Breinholt   Arranger
Sergey Rachmaninov   Composer
Giles Reaves   Mixing,Mastering,MIDI Programming
Steven Sharp Nelson   Arranger,Liner Notes,Associate Producer
Jean Sibelius   Composer
Claude Debussy   Composer
Jon Schmidt   Arranger
James McGranahan   Composer
Joshua Waldron   Photography,Cover Design,Photography,Cover Design
William Tomer   Composer
Josh Russell   Photography
Jonathon Shults   Mixing,Engineer