A characteristically furious Isserlis, at his best and most middling

Steven Isserlis -- iconoclast, pied-piper, gadfly and raconteur of the cello -- never stays still, either artistically or in performance. Author of musical books and plays for children, fervent advocate for obscure works of Schumann, explorer of new repertoire and unapologetic user of all gut strings on his instrument (despite their severe limitations), he goes his own way with sincerity and whimsy. Joined by Russian pianist Kirill Gerstein last Friday at the Barns at Wolf Trap, Isserlis deliver...