“Young, gifted, major talent” (the St. Louis Dispatch) describes aptly Johannes Moser. The German-Canadian cellist has just signed an exclusive recording contract with Pentatone. His debut with the label features two real staples of Romantic cello repertoire – concerti by Antonin Dvořák and Edouard Lalo – with the Prague Philharmonia and Jakub Hrůša.

Among all cello concertos, Dvořák's has been called "supreme," "the greatest", and the "king." One story goes that one day when Dvořák was in New York but not at the Conservatory, he said to be ill. A visitor to Dvořák's home found him there composing: "His only illness was a fever of composition ... The remains of many past meals were strewn around the room, where he had been barricaded, probably for several days."

Lalo's Cello Concerto was written in 1877, and is perhaps one of the instrument's most neglected compositions. Lalo composed over a half-dozen other vehicles for soloist and orchestra (and all kinds of other genres: operatic, orchestra, chamber, and sacred), including the famous Symphonie Espagnole, two other violin concertos and a rare piano concerto. This Concerto for cello and orchestra predates the Dvořák. It is a favorite of student cellists, and is surprisingly and wonderfully colorful.

KMFA's John Clare had a chance to speak to Moser about this new release, teaching, and the troubles of travelling with a cello. Hear their conversation by clicking the orange audio play button above.