Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas

Introduction

The Third Sonata, with its powerful cello and meticulous piano intertwining, is played with dramatic tension. The Fifth Sonata, with its classical structure, features simple cello use yet intense internal tension. This album features the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas, often likened to the "New Testament" of cello works, performed with powerful force by two Russian masters, Rostropovich and Richter. Winner of the first Record Academy Award in 1963.

[Contents]

Disc 1 01. Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5 No. 1, 1st Movement: Adagio sostenuto - Allegro 02. Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5 No. 1, 2nd Movement: Rondo (Allegro vivace) 03. Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102 No. 1, 1st Movement: Andante - Allegro vivace 04. Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102 No. 1, 2nd Movement: Adagio - Tempo d'andante - Allegro vivace 05. Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2, 1st Movement: Allegro con brio 06. Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2, 2nd Movement: Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto 07. Sonata No. 5 D Major, Op. 102 No. 2, 3rd Movement: Allegro - Allegro fugato

Disc 2 01. Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2, 1st Movement: Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo - Allegro molto piu tosto presto 02. Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 5 No. 2, 2nd Movement: Rondo (Allegro) 03. Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69, 1st Movement: Allegro ma non tanto 04. Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69, 2nd Movement: Scherzo (Allegro molto) 05. Sonata No. 3 in A Major, Op. 69, 3rd Movement: Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace

Mstislav Rostropovich (cello) Sviatoslav Richter (piano)

Recorded: July 1961, London (5), June 4-8, 1962 (1, 3, 4), March 25-26, 1963 (2), all in Austria (stereo)

Media reviews and more

This album features the complete Beethoven Cello Sonatas, often described as the "New Testament" of cello works, performed with powerful energy by two Russian masters, Mstislav Rostropovich and Sviatoslav Richter. (C)RS