Strong, bold and exuberant. Both players have the feel of the music in outline as well as in the detail, and they make out an excellent case for the Rachmaninov as a major romantic cello sonata.
Rachmaninov's lengthy, not to say protracted, Cello Sonata was written for his friend Anatoly Brandukov, an evidently gifted and delightful man who had been a pupil of Tchaikovsky (and was also the dedicatee of Tchaikovsky's Pezzo capriccioso). It certainly reflects his magisterial technique; but a good deal more is required of the pianist. The sonata is a big, romantic work in which a good deal of the material derives from Rachmaninov's own style and technique, which were, of course, closely bound up with his extraordinaryRead more pianistic gifts. For much of the time, the material seems piano-inspired, and suits the keyboard rather than the cello; while in places there are severe balance problems, even though naturally these can be solved in a recording as sensitive as this.
But there need be no reservations about the performance, which is strong, bold and exuberant. Both players have the feel of the music in outline as well as in the detail, and they make out an excellent case for the work as a major romantic cello sonata. They do, however, seem rather more at ease with the smaller pieces, which is not really surprising. These are often charming, always charmingly played.
Pieces (2) for Cello and Piano, Op. 2by Sergei Rachmaninov Performer:
Lynn Harrell (Cello),
Vladimir Ashkenazy (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1892; Russia
2.
Romance for Cello and Piano in F minorby Sergei Rachmaninov Performer:
Lynn Harrell (Cello),
Vladimir Ashkenazy (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1890; Russia
Songs (14), Op. 34: no 14, Vocaliseby Sergei Rachmaninov Performer:
Lynn Harrell (Cello),
Vladimir Ashkenazy (Piano)
Period: Romantic Written: 1912-1915; Russia Notes: Composition written: Russia (1912 - 1915).
5.
Melody on a Theme of Rachmaninovby Modest Altschuler Performer:
Vladimir Ashkenazy (Piano),
Lynn Harrell (Cello)
Period: Romantic Written: 1940s; USA
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 1 Customer Review )
awfulMay 12, 2016By Michael J S. (Silver City, NM)See All My Reviews"I could scarcely believe I was not being subjected to a high school music practice! Possibly the most incompetent performance I have ever had the displeasure of hearing. I think these guys were half asleep or hung over! Basically, I threw this CD in the trash. A total waste of money!"Report Abuse