Beethoven: Sonatas for Piano and Violoncello Nos. 1-5 - Mstislav Rostropovich; Sviatoslav Richter [2 LP] (2010)

MEDIUM Vinyl Record
WEIGHT 2 x 180gr (black vinyl) 33rpm
CONDITION sealed
CONDITION RECORDS M mint
COVER Gatefold
CONDITION COVER M mint
COVER DAMAGES No, we take care about that
SERIALNUMBER No
LIMITED No
MISCELLANEOUS Stereo
MUSICIAN HOMEPAGE --


MUSICIANS

Mstislav Rostropovich – violoncello
Sviatoslav Richter - piano


LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 – 1827)

sonatas for piano and cello nos. 1-5


REVIEW

Possessing a complete recording of Beethoven’s Cello Sonatas gives far more satisfaction than merely having the set to fill the shelves

On the one hand it offers one the opportunity to compare Beethoven’s art of composition at various stages in his life

And on the other hand one can already recognise in the early Opus 5 how he breaks with the traditional sonata in which the solo instrument merely provides an accompaniment and treats the two instruments as equal partners in the creation of the movements

Richter and Rostropovich devote themselves to their task with verve and freshness

The two early works are marked by the rich and full sound of the cello and an elegantly performed piano part, while the two Russian musicians foster a contemplative, introverted style in the A major Sonata

This respectful approach also lends itself well to the C major Sonata where the free, fantasia-like character with wide-ranging shading is shown off to advantage

Beethoven’s break with the traditional sonata-form layout is carried to extremes in the D major Sonata, where the cello ignores the powerful theme on the piano in the first movement

The work’s brittleness is effectively revealed by the two musicians in the transition from the sensitive Adagio to the austere, freely worked final Fugato

While their resolute and analytical approach to the work and technical prowess on their instruments is highly rewarding


RECORDING June 1962 at Rosenhügel Studios Vienna and July 1961 at Walthamstow Assembly Hall London
ENGINEER C.R. Fine
RE MASTERING --
RE RELEASED May 2011
AVERAGE RATING 4 ½ Stars out of 5
PRESSING Excellent by Pallas Germany
SOUND Excellent
MADE IN Germany
STYLE Classic / Sonata
AVAILABLE as long as inventory