Rachmaninov, Franck: Cello Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Steven Isserlis is not only one of the finest, but one of the most adventurous cellists around; you can always trust him to have a surprise in store. On this disc, he pairs two famous sonatas with two of their composers' unfamiliar pieces: a slow, singing Prelude and an exotic Oriental Dance by Rachmaninov, and two songs with cello obbligato, one secular, one sacred, by Franck. The playing throughout is beyond praise. Isserlis' instrumental mastery is complete; technical problems do not exist. His tone is beautiful, dark, warm, focused, infinitely variable in color, nuance and intensity, flawlessly pure on all strings and in every register. His playing is striking for its unfailing nobility; free but controlled, it is inwardly expressive but never sentimental, ardently romantic and passionate but never excessive. The slow opening of the Rachmaninov is pure magic: unvibrated, it feels like a reluctant, gradual awakening. The movement is played for poetic, pensive lyri! cism, not bravura, but builds up to a passionate climax and ends in a blaze of glory. The Scherzo is ominous, the Trio is warmly serene, the slow movement sings luxuriously, and the Finale is brilliant, joyful, triumphant. Pianist Stephen Hough gives free rein to his virtuosity, but never overpowers the cello; his approach is more freely rhapsodic than that of Isserlis, but their interplay, ensemble, and balance are excellent. They play the Franck so convincingly that one almost forgets this is really a violin sonata. (In his always enlightening, entertaining program notes, Isserlis claims that both versions are equally authentic.) Though one misses the shimmering radiance of the violin's high register in the corner movements, their dreamy, sunlit serenity remains intact; the cello tone has a floating, disembodied transparency, but builds up tremendous power in the climaxes. The second movement is fast and tempestuous, while the third is very free and imaginative, almost op! eratic in its contrasts and mood changes. --Edith Eisler

Amazon.com

Steven Isserlis is not only one of the finest, but one of the most adventurous cellists around; you can always trust him to have a surprise in store. On this disc, he pairs two famous sonatas with two of their composers' unfamiliar pieces: a slow, singing Prelude and an exotic Oriental Dance by Rachmaninov, and two songs with cello obbligato, one secular, one sacred, by Franck. The playing throughout is beyond praise. Isserlis' instrumental mastery is complete; technical problems do not exist. His tone is beautiful, dark, warm, focused, infinitely variable in color, nuance and intensity, flawlessly pure on all strings and in every register. His playing is striking for its unfailing nobility; free but controlled, it is inwardly expressive but never sentimental, ardently romantic and passionate but never excessive. The slow opening of the Rachmaninov is pure magic: unvibrated, it feels like a reluctant, gradual awakening. The movement is played for poetic, pensive lyri! cism, not bravura, but builds up to a passionate climax and ends in a blaze of glory. The Scherzo is ominous, the Trio is warmly serene, the slow movement sings luxuriously, and the Finale is brilliant, joyful, triumphant. Pianist Stephen Hough gives free rein to his virtuosity, but never overpowers the cello; his approach is more freely rhapsodic than that of Isserlis, but their interplay, ensemble, and balance are excellent. They play the Franck so convincingly that one almost forgets this is really a violin sonata. (In his always enlightening, entertaining program notes, Isserlis claims that both versions are equally authentic.) Though one misses the shimmering radiance of the violin's high register in the corner movements, their dreamy, sunlit serenity remains intact; the cello tone has a floating, disembodied transparency, but builds up tremendous power in the climaxes. The second movement is fast and tempestuous, while the third is very free and imaginative, almost op! eratic in its contrasts and mood changes. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

the best.......2005-02-27

I can't believe this cd has only been reviewed once! It is by far one of the best cello albums ever produced. Isserlis and Hough have outdone themselves tenfold. The Franck is so noble, expressive, and just downright profound. I own somewhere around 5000 hours of music, but if I could only take one cd with me on a deserted island, it would probably be this. It is this recording that has inspired me to learn the Franck sonata. But after hearing such a perfect interpretation, it is hard not to imitate! Don't overlook the little goodies on this cd as well. The two Rachmaninoff short pieces for cello and piano are gloriously beautiful in Isserlis' hands.

EYE OPENING.......2004-07-19

I've always loved the Rachmaninov Cello sonata and Isserlis and Hough give it a spendid reading. However, the Franck has, in the past, rather bored me (whether it be with the violin or the cello); however, Stephen and Steven, in this recording, give it fire, passion and emotional depth. They play it wonderfully snatching dear ole pious Franck out of the church's organ loft.
If you are into romantic chamber music (and you DO know who you are) , as I am, buy this disc. Believe me, you will love it. These boys can sure play!

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