Delos International has presented the charismatic cellist Zuill Bailey in a series of outstanding recordings. This month Bailey’s newest release “Zuill Bailey in Concert" will add to his luster. Once again, this is a “live” recording, documenting Bailey’s presentation of the two Saint-Saens Cello Concertos accompanied by David Wiley leading the Roanoke Symphony. Added to these major selections are two irresistible encores: Saint-Saens’ “The Swan” from Carnival of the Animals and Massenet’s “Meditation from Thais”.

Camille Saint-Saens, born in 1835, has maintained his position as one of the most important Gallic composers of the late Romantic era. Today, many of his finer compositions retain their popularity, among them the First Cello Concerto, a standard masterwork played by all aspiring cellists. The Second Concerto is less familiar, perhaps because of its technical difficulties. Zuill Bailey sails through these with supreme ease. “TheSwan,”written specifically as a cello solo is beloved by both music and ballet fans worldwide, and, although not by Saint-Saens. Massenet’s “Meditation from Thais”, usually a violin solo, adapts beautifully to Bailey’s creamy cello interpretation.