Rubinstein, A: Cello Sonatas Nos 1 & 2

Advantages: One of the most Romantic concertos around, full of beautiful melodies and passion
Disadvantages: over-recorded

...by the Moscow Philharmonic Society and conducted by Alexander Siloti with Basil Sapellnikov at the piano, was a huge success. Other new works presented at the concert also included the Cello Sonata, the cantata Spring, a piano prelude in G minor and the twelve songs of Op.21. The Concerto was dedicated to Dr. Dahl, and it is through this work that his name is best remembered today. The Second Concerto is cast in C minor, and it is this work that defined the sound of Rachmaninov for years to come. Gone were the more modern aspects of his First Symphony, and instead Rachmaninov created a virtuoso concerto in the 19th century Romantic tradition of Tchaikovsky, full of pathos, heart-on-sleeve romanticism and magnificently lyrical melodies around every turn. It is this pure melodic writing that appealed to the general public and established Rachmaninov... Read review

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Advantages: It is simply one of the finest pieces of music ever written
Disadvantages: How dare you ask of any disadvantges!?!

..., and wrote a melody in 9/8 time. In May, Elgar, his wife Alice, and daughter Carice went to their summer residence of Brinkwells, a cottage in Sussex, for some rural relaxation and healing (Elgar loved the countryside). Finally, in August, he suddenly was attacked by a great surge of creativity. He had his piano taken out of storage and wrote a Violin Sonata in E minor, Op.82, which was soon followed by the String Quartet in E minor, Op.83 and Piano Quintet in A minor, Op.84. This sudden surge showed a new streak of creative development in Elgar's music that was more elusive, economical and a million miles away from his bombastic past. The three works were premiered in May 1919, after which Elgar set out on his great summation of this new style (as well as career): the Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85. There is not much documentation... Read review

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Advantages: Thrilling, daredevil chamber music performances from the legendary Martha Argerich and partner-in-crime Gidon Kremer.
Disadvantages: Violinist Kremer occasionally on the mannered, spastic side; only forty-three minutes of music.

.... Then again, you might just like them more than I do! ++ For a more thorough introduction to Martha Argerich, you may want to read my other post (or you may not!): http://www.ciao.co.uk/BachKeyboardWorksReview5359921 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CD Notes: LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770 - 1827) Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 4 in A minor, op. 23 1. (1) Presto 6’56 2. (2) Andante scherzoso più Allegretto 7’20 3. (3) Allegro molto 5’15 Sonata for Piano and Violin no. 5 in F major, op. 24 "Frühlings-Sonate" ["Spring"] 4. (1) Allegro 9’41 5. (2) Adagio molto espressivo 6’02 6. (3) Scherzo. Allegro molto 1’19 7. (4) Rondo. Allegro ma non troppo 6’34 MARTHA ARGERICH, Piano GIDON KREMER, Violin Deutsche Grammophon (P) 1987 43’23 417 787-2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (Performances for comparison:) From: BEETHOVEN... Read review

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