Two generous, comprehensive and scholarly booklets present all the original album notes alongside special essays. In the first of these, My life with the Marquis, Steven Isserlis opens our eyes to the challenges, obstacles, and myriad joys of tramping the globe with such a priceless instrument. Historian Rowena Anketell then presents a fascinating account, The real Marquis de Corberon, of this particular instrument’s history and its journey after its first owner, from whom it takes its aristocratic name, fell victim the French Revolution’s guillotine. At the Royal Academy of Music gives insights into the challenge of owning a priceless instrument while ensuring its unique voice can remain heard around the world rather being than stuck behind a glassy museum case. And that’s all in addition to 10 CDs of the most gorgeous cello music.