Brahms Cello Sonatas recommendations

[Alex]

Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?

I was thinking of perhaps Maisky on DG for something fairly rich. I
generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

Anyone heard the 2 SACDs of these pieces, namely Wick/Devoyon on Audite and
Kanka/Klansky on Praga? They would be ideal for me if they were good
performances.

TIA

Alex

[Mr Duffy]

Alex

Post by Alex
Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?
I was thinking of perhaps Maisky on DG for something fairly rich. I
generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

Rostropovich with Serkin (DG).
Hi, Mr Duffy

[Lenya Ryzhik]

Post by Mr Duffy
Alex

Post by Alex
Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?
I was thinking of perhaps Maisky on DG for something fairly rich. I
generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

Rostropovich with Serkin (DG).
Hi, Mr Duffy

To each his own - this recording was what made me think that these sonatas
are not for me (sort of Richter/Rostropovich effect in the Beethoven
sonatas). Then somebody sent Fournier/Firkusny my way and the world was
put back on its feet. I wonder if this has been reissued on a CD?

Lenya

[MrT]

Post by Lenya Ryzhik
To each his own - this recording was what made me think that these sonatas
are not for me (sort of Richter/Rostropovich effect in the Beethoven
sonatas). Then somebody sent Fournier/Firkusny my way and the world was
put back on its feet. I wonder if this has been reissued on a CD?

Fournier or Piatigorsky? I have a vague memory of Piatigorsky-Firkusny
on RCA. I'll look for the LP.

My favorite performance is Bengtsson / Ingolf Olsen on Danacord (DACOCD
343). Erling Blöndal Bengtsson is one of the greatest cellists I've
heard in concert, and this recording does him justice. Top notch sound
and production, too.

Best,

MrT

[Lenya Ryzhik]

Post by MrT

Post by Lenya Ryzhik
To each his own - this recording was what made me think that these sonatas
are not for me (sort of Richter/Rostropovich effect in the Beethoven
sonatas). Then somebody sent Fournier/Firkusny my way and the world was
put back on its feet. I wonder if this has been reissued on a CD?

Fournier or Piatigorsky? I have a vague memory of Piatigorsky-Firkusny
on RCA. I'll look for the LP.
My favorite performance is Bengtsson / Ingolf Olsen on Danacord (DACOCD
343). Erling Blöndal Bengtsson is one of the greatest cellists I've
heard in concert, and this recording does him justice. Top notch sound
and production, too.
Best,
MrT

The one I have is with Fournier - does Piatigorsky exist?

Lenya

[MrT]

Oops... I just consulted the (very partial, still) database for my LP
collection and the Piatigorsky-Firkusny duo recorded *Chopin*, not
Brahms. The Brahms is by Piatigorsky-Rubinstein, as pointed out by
Richard in the followup. Do you have a number for Fournier-Firkusny?

Best,

MrT

[Lenya Ryzhik]

Post by MrT
Oops... I just consulted the (very partial, still) database for my LP
collection and the Piatigorsky-Firkusny duo recorded *Chopin*, not
Brahms. The Brahms is by Piatigorsky-Rubinstein, as pointed out by
Richard in the followup. Do you have a number for Fournier-Firkusny?
Best,
MrT

Number theory is not my strength but it seems that the DG LP number seems
to be 139119 - does this look like a catalogue number?

Lenya

[MrT]

<<Number theory is not my strength but it seems that the DG LP number
seems
to be 139119 - does this look like a catalogue number? >>

Yes it does. Thank you, Lenya. I didn't know this DG recording existed.


Best,

MrT

[unknown]

Post by MrT
<<Number theory is not my strength but it seems that the DG LP number
seems
to be 139119 - does this look like a catalogue number? >>
Yes it does. Thank you, Lenya. I didn't know this DG recording existed.
Best,
MrT

It was also available in the DGG 15LP box of complete Brahms chamber
music (2740 117).

Don.

[Steve Emerson]

Post by Lenya Ryzhik

Post by MrT
Oops... I just consulted the (very partial, still) database for my LP
collection and the Piatigorsky-Firkusny duo recorded *Chopin*, not
Brahms. The Brahms is by Piatigorsky-Rubinstein, as pointed out by
Richard in the followup. Do you have a number for Fournier-Firkusny?
Best,
MrT

Number theory is not my strength

(laugh)

SE.

[p***@hotmail.com]

The Fournier - Firkusny Brahms Sonatas have never been issued on CD.
I have them on LP as part of Deutsche Grammophon's 15 record set of
the Complete Chamber Music (the set is 2740 117, the Disc with the
Cello Sonatas is 2563.397). I actually prefer Fournier's earlier
recording with Backhaus. Rose recorded them in 1982, toward the end of
his life, with Jean-Bernard Pommier for Virgin (259 410-231). Tortelier
recorded the pair with Karl Engel in 1953, I believe the only way of
getting them on CD is by picking up the four disc set "Les
Introuvables de Paul Tortelier" (EMI 7243 5 73172 2 1)

Peter Schenkman

[Tom Deacon]

On 6/29/05 6:11 PM, in article

Post by p***@hotmail.com
The Fournier - Firkusny Brahms Sonatas have never been issued on CD.

A quick search on Amazon.fr seems to indicate that you are right, Peter. I
cannot imagine why my colleagues in France did not put it into their DG
Double series.

Post by p***@hotmail.com
I have them on LP as part of Deutsche Grammophon's 15 record set of
the Complete Chamber Music (the set is 2740 117, the Disc with the
Cello Sonatas is 2563.397). I actually prefer Fournier's earlier
recording with Backhaus.

Which was, of course, issued by Decca, I believe, in 1990.

There is a Decca box to be made of the Fournier recordings they have, and
perhaps they could borrow any Fournier items from DG which have not seen the
light of day.

TD

[Frank Berger]

Post by p***@hotmail.com
The Fournier - Firkusny Brahms Sonatas have never been issued on CD.
I have them on LP as part of Deutsche Grammophon's 15 record set of
the Complete Chamber Music (the set is 2740 117, the Disc with the
Cello Sonatas is 2563.397). I actually prefer Fournier's earlier
recording with Backhaus. Rose recorded them in 1982, toward the end of
his life, with Jean-Bernard Pommier for Virgin (259 410-231). Tortelier
recorded the pair with Karl Engel in 1953, I believe the only way of
getting them on CD is by picking up the four disc set "Les
Introuvables de Paul Tortelier" (EMI 7243 5 73172 2 1)
Peter Schenkman

What about Fournier/Schnabel on Pearl?

[Steve Emerson]

Post by p***@hotmail.com
The Fournier - Firkusny Brahms Sonatas have never been issued on CD.
I have them on LP as part of Deutsche Grammophon's 15 record set of
the Complete Chamber Music (the set is 2740 117, the Disc with the
Cello Sonatas is 2563.397). I actually prefer Fournier's earlier
recording with Backhaus.

Well, either way the set with Firkusny is terrific. My experience is the
big DG package you mention is more frequently met with than the single
LP, whereof the only copy I've ever seen is my own.

Post by p***@hotmail.com
Rose recorded them in 1982, toward the end of
his life, with Jean-Bernard Pommier for Virgin (259 410-231). Tortelier
recorded the pair with Karl Engel in 1953, I believe the only way of
getting them on CD is by picking up the four disc set "Les
Introuvables de Paul Tortelier" (EMI 7243 5 73172 2 1)

Tortelier in these is an enticing prospect, if only in order to see
which of his several selves shows up.

Any opinion on Navarra's recording(s), Mr Schenkman? And have you heard
Gutman's?

SE.

[Dan Koren]

Post by p***@hotmail.com
The Fournier - Firkusny Brahms Sonatas have never been issued on CD.
I have them on LP as part of Deutsche Grammophon's 15 record set of
the Complete Chamber Music (the set is 2740 117, the Disc with the
Cello Sonatas is 2563.397). I actually prefer Fournier's earlier
recording with Backhaus.

Yes!!


dk

[Dan Koren]

Post by MrT
Oops... I just consulted the (very partial, still) database for my LP
collection and the Piatigorsky-Firkusny duo recorded *Chopin*, not
Brahms. The Brahms is by Piatigorsky-Rubinstein, as pointed out by
Richard in the followup. Do you have a number for Fournier-Firkusny?

Ask Godel -- he can give you one.


dk

[Dan Koren]

Post by Lenya Ryzhik
The one I have is with Fournier - does Piatigorsky exist?

Not any more.


dk

[Sol L. Siegel]

Post by Mr Duffy
Rostropovich with Serkin (DG).

If you like them in Cinemascope and Technicolor.

[Tom Deacon]

On 6/29/05 7:56 PM, in article

Post by Sol L. Siegel

Post by Mr Duffy
Rostropovich with Serkin (DG).

If you like them in Cinemascope and Technicolor.

There's a version on film?

TD

[Dan Koren]

Post by Sol L. Siegel

Post by Mr Duffy
Rostropovich with Serkin (DG).

If you like them in Cinemascope and Technicolor.

This one is actually in Cinemascope and Black-and-White.



dk

[mmaroney]

Truls Mork and Juhani Lagerspetz on Virgin or Simax (?) - excellent
recording all-around, including some very tastefully done lieder
arrangements.

Cheers,

Marcus Maroney

[Alan Cooper]

Post by mmaroney
Truls Mork and Juhani Lagerspetz on Virgin or Simax (?) - excellent
recording all-around, including some very tastefully done lieder
arrangements.
Cheers,

Presumably the same performances that were reissued on a
bargain-priced Apex CD, c/w Schumann Fantasy Pieces. I like these
performances very much, but would not prefer them to the
Fournier/Firkusny recording that Lenya mentioned. I have to confess
that I find these sonatas among the weakest of Brahms's chamber works
(relatively speaking).

AC

[mmaroney]

Interesing - I haven't heard Fournier/Firkusny but woudl love to. I
really like the first sonata, the first movement of which contains some
of my absolute favorite melodies from this composer. The second sonata
I have a harder time sitting through (although there are of course
parts that are amazing), but I enjoy the very well-balanced/judged
performance from Mork/Lagerspetz. I found Rost./Serkin making every
loud phrase sound like a climax, which was exciting at first but grew
old quickly.

Is the F/F on CD?

Cheers,

Marcus Maroney

P.S. I find these sonatas much stronger than the piano trios, none of
which I've never been able to warm to. My loss, I'm sure, but...

[Dan Koren]

Post by mmaroney
Truls Mork and Juhani Lagerspetz on Virgin or Simax (?) - excellent
recording all-around, including some very tastefully done lieder
arrangements.

Voice removal?



dk

[R***@gmail.com]

I'm not an unconditional Starker fan but his Mercury CD with Sebok
struck me as very good. These are tough works to play well in tune and
yet with the weight, abandon and involvement they require. His tone is
so centered and the technical address so secure that you can
concentrate on the music.

I found Piatagorsky/Rubinstein (RCA stereo) wayward on the intonation
front; his earlier recordings are probably better in this respect and
he certainly knows how the music should go. Though it's a famous
shotgun marriage recording, Slava/Serkin DG) is really convincing if
you enjoy their hell-for-leather approach.

Should Maria Kliegel record them for Naxos I would buy without
hesitation. Her Mendelssohn Sonatas disc is first rate.

I heard Schiff on the radio and was not as wowed as I would like to be,
but his recording could have been better than that live performance.

[w***@hotmail.com]

Post by R***@gmail.com
I'm not an unconditional Starker fan but his Mercury CD with Sebok
struck me as very good. These are tough works to play well in tune and
yet with the weight, abandon and involvement they require. His tone is
so centered and the technical address so secure that you can
concentrate on the music.
I found Piatagorsky/Rubinstein (RCA stereo) wayward on the intonation
front; his earlier recordings are probably better in this respect and
he certainly knows how the music should go. Though it's a famous
shotgun marriage recording, Slava/Serkin DG) is really convincing if
you enjoy their hell-for-leather approach.
Should Maria Kliegel record them for Naxos I would buy without
hesitation. Her Mendelssohn Sonatas disc is first rate.
I heard Schiff on the radio and was not as wowed as I would like to be,
but his recording could have been better than that live performance.

It appears she did - about 12 years ago! Naxos catalogue no.: 8.550656

j

[R***@gmail.com]

thanks & woops

[François Charton]

Post by Alex
Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?

Not modern sound (1955), but Fournier Backhaus is hard to beat. From the
same period, and for a change, there is a Feuermann Van der Pas version of
the first sonata.

Francois

[c***@comcast.net]

How is the Fournier/Backhaus? There aren't many chamber recordings by
Backhaus. A real find would be Fournier/Richter- I think they
partnered up for one of the sonatas...
Rich

[François Charton]

Post by c***@comcast.net
How is the Fournier/Backhaus?

As brahmsian as can be... which hardly comes as a surprise given the
affinity of the two performers with the composer.

I think it is a fairly straightforward and conventional reading of the
works. Tempos are usually moderate.

Backhaus playing is very crisp and precise, with very little use of the
pedal. Also he has a tendency to "stay behind" Fournier, which make the
works sound more like a cello sonata with piano accompaniment than the
"clash of soloist" typical of the genre.

Fournier is very expressive, with lots of contrasts, both in dynamics and in
using the different registers of the instrument (in the beginning of the
first sonata and the third movement of the second, especially).

Altogether, they make a great "first version" of the cello sonatas, with a
very classical approach to the works, and beautiful playing.

Francois

[Vaneyes]

I generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

For the Brahms, Starker & Sebok (Mercury). For Kodaly, suggest you try
Yang & Moon (EMI Debut).

Regards

[Paul Ilechko]

Post by Vaneyes

I generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

For the Brahms, Starker & Sebok (Mercury). For Kodaly, suggest you try
Yang & Moon (EMI Debut).

Let me second that Kodaly recommendation.

[Paul Ilechko]

Post by Alex
Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?
I was thinking of perhaps Maisky on DG for something fairly rich. I
generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).

Gastinel/Guy is an excellent choice, IMO.

[h***@bigpond.com]

Post by Alex
Which recordings in modern sound would you recommend? Not HIP, though I
think Wispelwey's CD is 'semi-HIP'...how different does that sound?
I was thinking of perhaps Maisky on DG for something fairly rich. I
generally avoid du Pre and Starker as I don't like their style (apart from
the latter in Kodaly).
Anyone heard the 2 SACDs of these pieces, namely Wick/Devoyon on Audite and
Kanka/Klansky on Praga? They would be ideal for me if they were good
performances.
TIA
Alex

I heard on radio a recording of the second sonata by Lynn Harrell and
Vladimir Ashkenazy a couple of days ago, and it bowled me over. Superb
playing. I don't have the recording details, unfortunately, nor do I
know whether they recorded all the sonatas; but I guess those details
will be easily found on the 'Net.
Regards
Hugh Roberts