Perhaps the most enigmatic voice in the history of cellists, Daniil Shafran's playing is instantly recognizable from the first note: dramatic contrasts, wide and fast vibrato, dense sostenuto, crisp articulations —— all aspects of his preeminent mastery. His unconventional fingerings, involving the use of all 5 fingers of the left hand in all positions, demonstrate an innovative spirit unconstrained by "standard" technique. Shafran is perhaps the only cellist to play the instrument in a manner similar to virtuosity of contemporaneous violinists.
Known for his wild sound and unorthodox playing towards the later part of his career, he showed promise from a young age, winning the 1937 USSR All-Union Competition for Cellists and Violinists at age 14. For his first prize he won the ostensible Amati cello on which he played for the rest of his life.
It is difficult to describe in words the playing of a king amongst cellists, so I offer up the following instead:
Recommended Listening:
Recorded Rarities (from my personal archive):
Recommended Reading:
Daniil Shafran - Cello Solo (Autobiography compiled by Vera Guseva)
ISBN 10: 5170076541 ISBN 13: 9785170076543
Further Listening: