Rachmaninov, Prokofiev: Cello Sonatas

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
The prize here is the Rachmaninoff cello sonata, a warm, hyper-Romantic musical tapestry that gives both the pianist and cellist a major workout. Ma is a superb chamber-music player, as is Ax. Both offer the kind of artistic give-and-take that a great performance of this music requires, while neither weighs the music down with excessive indulgence. The Prokofiev, a very different sort of musical beast, is a much lighter work, but it's done no less well. This is one of Ma's best chamber-music discs. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

I. Andante Grave - Moderato Animato - Allegro Moderato
II. Moderato - Andante Dolce
III. Allegro Ma Non Troppo - Andantino
I. Lento - Allegro Moderato - Moderato
II. Allegro Scherzando
III. Andante
IV. Allegro Mosso - Moderato - Vivace
II. Allegro
IV. Marcia. Energico
III. Finale. Allegro Vivo

Customer Reviews:

A "rare" collection.......2007-02-08

A wonderful grouping of well-known and less well-known pieces for cello and piano--a pleasure to listen to over and over again.

Music that will make you tingle inside..........2005-06-10

Ok, I don't usually write reviews, since of course, I see so many people spouting off at the mouth about things that they either don't understand or those that just want to complain or self-gratify.

That being said though, I had to write a little something about this cd. I'll admit a prejudice for those Ma-Ax recordings, so bear with me. I think they are one of the strongest ensemble musicians I've encountered. Not only in their duo recordings are they always musicians first and foremost and not merely soloists recording together but also in those venues which include other greats, like Isaac Stern or Richard Stoltzman.

The main pieces on this recording are nearly awe-inspiring. While Ax describes in the liner notes the Profiev as having some 'crude and ackward' treatment of the melodies, I found it to be very intense and dark. Loving every bit of the piece. I don't think its as intense as the Shostakovich, but there are some similarities.

The real gem on this cd though has to be the Rachmaninoff. There's a place towards the very beginning of the first movement that will make you tingle in a spot, that dare not speak its name, or my name isn't Artemis Jack, which it isn't, but I'm sure you'll still enjoy it anyway.

To be honest with you, there's not a moment in the Rachmaninoff that isn't filled with unbelievable lushness and magic, every moment in the sonata is amazing. You'd think that with a piece so heavily dominated by the piano that the cellist would get lost or pushed into a corner someplace. Not only does the cellist play a very important role, but in ways has the choicest melodies. I wouldn't guess that many cellists would find this piece terribly challenging, but I would hope they'd revell in the experience.

I should commend Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma for being the wonderful chamber musicians they are. One of the things that people don't always understand, musicians and audiences alike, is that chamber music is very 'conversational'. My own experience as a professional pianist has at times led me to despise working with others because they simply refuse to acknowledge or share with another musician. Lets face it, the score may list this instrument or that one first, but without the piano where in the world would you be??? The main thing in all of the chamber music environments is to converse, exchange, and relish in the experience thats available in playing such great music.

If there's anything to squak about it, its the following snippets from other works. I'm not sure who's brilliant idea it was to include them, but it really is annoying and almost taints the whole experience of the first two works. That isn't to say that the music isn't beautiful and wonderfully played, but for me, there was just nothing else that needed to be said after the Rachmaninoff. Besides, if you're able to hear the Shostakovich, played by Ma/Ax, you'll agree that having just the second movement is a letdown.

No matter, I hope you'll be able to experience this cd and all the lush wonderfulness it has to offer. I finally also apologize for succumbing to the very thing that I said I detested...verbose self-gratification! Oh well, whats a guy to do?

Possible the most sublime cello sonata.......2004-06-14

As the CD cover indicates, the star performance on this CD is the Rachmaninoff sonata played by Ma and Ax. I would recommend any cello music lover to buy this CD for the Rachmaninoff sonata alone. My only disappointment is that the Shostakovich sonata is not present in its full on this CD, the allegro movement is breathtaking, Ma is certainly the king of cellists, and Ax is as per usual a superb match for Ma.

Average customer rating:

from someone who was there
I also prefer Prokofiew-Ma & Ax what wonderful Performance
Please ignore bad reviews
One of the best CDs I own
Don't forget Prokofiev!

Rachmaninov, Prokofiev: Cello Sonatas

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Chopin: Polonaise brilliante; Cello Sonata; Piano Trio

ASIN: B00000279S
Release Date: 1991-12-05

Tracks:

Sonata For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 119: I. Andante grave - Moderato animato - Allegro moderato
Sonata For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 119: II. Moderato - Andante dolce
Sonata For Cello & Piano In C Major, Op. 119: III. Allegro ma non troppo
Sonata For Cello & Piano In G Minor, Op. 19: I. Lento - Allegro moderato - Moderato
Sonata For Cello & Piano In G Minor, Op. 19: II. Allegro scherzando
Sonata For Cello & Piano In G Minor, Op. 19: III. Andante
Sonata For Cello & Piano In G Minor, Op. 19: IV. Allegro mosso - Moderato - Vivace

Amazon.com essential recording

The prize here is the Rachmaninoff cello sonata, a warm, hyper-Romantic musical tapestry that gives both the pianist and cellist a major workout. Ma is a superb chamber-music player, as is Ax. Both offer the kind of artistic give-and-take that a great performance of this music requires, while neither weighs the music down with excessive indulgence. The Prokofiev, a very different sort of musical beast, is a much lighter work, but it's done no less well. This is one of Ma's best chamber-music discs. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

from someone who was there.......2005-08-13

I was technical director for this recording. For those that "like the sound," thank you. For those that don't "hear" the soul in this recording, I can only say being there and listening and watching was one of the most moving and amazing experiences of my life. Trust me, there was soul and passion coming from Manny and YoYo. I believe the recording translates a good measure of that.

I also prefer Prokofiew-Ma & Ax what wonderful Performance.......2004-11-09

On "andante grave" the cello opens with a bass tone slowly the piano follows with & so moves the two instruments towards the end of quick movements to end with a soft subletly ending. In "iii moderato-andante dolce"-piano opens with a smooth cello sound following almost sliding sound -very lyrical cello. It is stated that Prokofiew's compositions were not usually acceptable by purists. I think his method -writing something that comes from within.Very funny though because Russian composers wer so afraid of the system of Govt.i.e Stalin era resulting in very restricted music. Yes I have a heart & I feel the music & I know when music deserves to be appplauded.Ma & Ax render an excellent interpretation. I noticed though that Ax's piano sounds powerful almost overshadows the cello especially at the end of "iii allegro ma non troppo andantino". Rachmaninoff's music is warm, subtle almost romantic especially "allegro scherzando" & "iii andante" & iv allegro mosso-moderato". Lucky for me I got the extended edition with 3 bonus tracks, Shostakovich -cello sonata -very lyrical with both players giving it an excellent performance -charming. Britten's cello sonata is so beautiful.The cello sounds like a crying child almost pleading to be forgiven -wistful -lyrical -ends with a gentle piano photo finish.Strauss 's music deserves to be applauded. There's intensity here. Yes Yo Yo Ma might not be the best cellist out there but he excells in this album.Ma is not my favourate cellist either but i cant just criticise everything he does simple because everyone feels the same about him.Therefore the questions are, Is he famous? YES does he sound the in "everything" he does? NO NO NO therefore does he do the best as an artist YES YES YES.is he is commited to music YES!YES!.

Please ignore bad reviews.......2003-11-14

I cannot agree with the bad reviews of this CD. It is one of the best I own (and I am a musician). I had the privilege of hearing this performed live by the two artists in San Francisco in 1986, and can only say it ranked as one of the great concert performances of my life. The two have a synergy that is amazing, as if they were thinking and feeling as one. Yes, Ma may be famous, but he still plays a mean cello, and this is ample evidence. Just watching the man play says volumes about his emotional interpretation, and that feeling is transferred to his music. I believe this is one of the better recordings of the Rachmaninov sonata, and I like the Prokofiev only slightly less. I promise you won't be disappointed.

One of the best CDs I own.......2000-12-13

And that says a lot. Ma and Ax deliver a fantastic performance on this CD, which also contains some of the finest recording quality you will ever hear. This CD converted me to Rachmaninov (whom I hadn't like prior to hearing his cello sonata). Ignore what the yahoo below says about Ma and Ax delivering a bad performance - this is an excellent CD, and I recommend it highly.

Don't forget Prokofiev!.......2000-10-08

Yes, the Rachmaninov Sonata is quite a beautiful work -- and this is coming from someone who can't stand Rachmaninov in general! I can't understand how one of the reviewers below could say that Ma and Ax ignore the intensity and climax points of this work. There is intensity, climax, and wonderful direction of phrasing aplenty in this recording. Perhaps such people expect Rachmaninov performances to be always cheezy and sentimental. In fact, the work is assertive and vigorous, though still thoroughly romantic. I'm inclined to think that Rachmaninov performance practice nowadays makes him sound more hopelessly cheezy than he really is. Oh well. But for me, the jewel of this CD is the Prokofiev Sonata. What an eloquent work, full of Prokofiev's deceptive simplicity! There is none of the cheeky energy of, say, the Fifth Symphony or the Seventh Piano Sonata. This work is full of a wistful lyricism, a gentle melancholy. Ma and Ax understand this and perform the work accordingly, with Ma's usually gorgeous phrasing and Ax's strong yet sensitive accompaniment. If you don't fall in love with Prokofiev's first movement, with all those gorgeous melodies and motives, I'm inclined to believe that you don't have any ears or a heart!

Average customer rating:

Shostakovich, Prokofiev: Cello Sonatas

Manufacturer: Altara
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sonatas for Cello and Piano in G minor, op.19/ C Major, op.119

Average customer rating:

Sonatas for Cello and Piano in G minor, op.19/ C Major, op.119

Manufacturer: Elan Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B00008F190
Release Date: 1994-12-12

Rachmaninov/Prokofiev: Russian Cello Sonatas

Average customer rating:

Rachmaninov/Prokofiev: Russian Cello Sonatas

Manufacturer: Finlandia Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B0008F6UQK

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Big Girls Don't Cry and Other Hits

Sonata Violin/Piano 1

Rivka Golani

Nashville Harmonica: At Christmas Time

Revenge of the B-Boy, Vol. 2

Skyedance

Outro [Import]

Saddle Creek 50 [Enhanced]

Rest of the Day Off [CD-single] [Import]

Six Cello Suites performed on viola

Something Cool

MTV Unplugged [Limited Edition] [Import]

Maximum Ricky

Davies: Eight Songs for a Mad King for male voice & chamber; Miss Donnithorne's Maggot

Vol. 8-Smooth Jazz V98.7 Charity