Recorded
in 1954, issued as Nixa PLP 593
Download ID: 240509, 434949, 440177, 499874
(Duration:
44'47")
Sonata
No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38
Sonata
No. 2 in F, Op. 99
Play
sample movement:
Original transfer XR-remastered in May 2008
"Of
the two sonatas cellists (and their audiences) seem to prefer the F major
for its passion and its effectiveness, qualities less marked in the much
earlier E minor work. No. 1 can make an effect, to, if played with the
abandon that is possible only after intensely detailed care and abandon."
This XR-remastered recording is available in mono and Ambient Stereo. For more information on Ambient Stereo click here.
Thus the
second edition of The Record Guide in 1955 summed up these two
cello sonatas. Earlier this year [2006] we issued the 1934 recording of the first
sonata made by Feuermann and van der Pas (PACM035)
and perhaps Feuermann has the edge over Starker for the kind of abandon
referred to above, a performance which allowed his natural genius to come
to the fore.
But that
is not to belittle this later recording - the warmth of Starker's lower
registers and singing clarity as he moves higher is beauty to behold.
The performance is wonderfully constructed and leaves the listener with
few reservations beyond a slightly clangy piano tone during louder periods.
And of
course this release, coming as it does from an LP rather than 78rpm issue,
has the advantages not only of a full frequency response, but also the
inclusion of the Second Sonata. And for me it is here that this recording
really comes into its own - one senses that it is the later work which
really inspires one of the great cellists to produce a recording worthy
of his talents. This is truly a performance to savour, as Bogin too is
lifted to achieve higher things in his piano accompaniment.
This recording is complemented by the five Beethoven Cello Sonatas, on Volumes One and Two, in bringing together on Pristine Audio the complete recordings by Starker and Bogin as a duo.
Find
out more:
Sonata
for Cello and Piano No. 1 in E minor 1st movement
