Fauré & Saint-Saëns: Works For Cello & Piano

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Cellist O’Kane is the star of this disc, sensitive and introspective in The Swan, then animated and robust Saint-Saens Sonata No. 1, in which he and McHale have a more even partnership. — BBC Music Magazine, May 2017, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 3rd Mar 2017
Catalogue No: CHRCD113
Label: Champs Hill Records
Length: 76 minutes

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Fauré: Romance in A major for cello & piano, Op. 69

Work length3:43

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

Fauré: Cello Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 109

Work length18:13

$3.50

$4.90

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

I. Allegro

Track length5:11

$1.00

$1.40

II. Andante

Track length7:06

$1.50

$2.10

III. Final: Allegro comodo

Track length5:56

$1.00

$1.40

Saint-Saëns: Romance, Op. 36

Work length3:04

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

Fauré: 3 Songs, Op. 8: I. Au bord de l'eau

Work length2:03

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

Saint-Saëns: Romance, Op. 51

Work length3:30

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

Fauré: Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 117

Work length19:03

$3.50

$4.90

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

I. Allegro

Track length6:15

$1.00

$1.40

II. Andante

Track length7:47

$1.50

$2.10

III. Allegro vivo

Track length5:01

$1.00

$1.40

Fauré: Après un rêve, Op. 7 No. 1

Work length3:11

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

Saint-Saëns: Cello Sonata No. 1 in C minor Op. 32

Work length20:42

$3.50

$4.90

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

I. Allegro

Track length9:14

$1.50

$2.10

II. Andante tranquillo sostenuto

Track length5:07

$1.00

$1.40

III. Allegro moderato

Track length6:21

$1.00

$1.40

Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux: Le Cygne

Work length3:05

$1.00

$1.40

Brian O'Kane, Michael McHale

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Cellist Brian O’Kane and pianist Michael McHale explore the contrast and similarities between the works of Fauré and Saint-Saëns – two composers who met in a student–teacher relationship that would grow to become an enduring friendship. O’Kane writes in the introduction to this disc:

Gabriel Fauré is a composer who seemingly divides opinion. For me, his writing is fascinating and timeless and I unashamedly adore it. His two cello sonatas in particular display Fauré’s unique and intriguing voice, and their divine unending melodies celebrate the cello’s best registers.

The making of this disc was primarily inspired by those works, as well as some of Fauré’s own influences and inspirations, which came in no small part from his mentor and teacher Camille Saint-Saëns. The evident connections in style, structure, phrasing and melody make for a fascinating comparison.

Irish cellist Brian O’Kane enjoys a busy career as both soloist and chamber musician. Since winning first prize at the Windsor International String Competition in 2008, he has made his debuts with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra under Ashkenazy and in recital at the Wigmore Hall. Brian is a former ‘Rising Star’ of Ireland’s National Concert Hall and has performed at Seoul’s Performing Arts Centre and with a cello ensemble at the BBC Proms. Winner of the Terence Judd / Hallé Award in 2009, Belfast-born Michael McHale has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading pianists. He has performed as a soloist with the Minnesota, Hallé, Moscow Symphony and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras, the London Mozart Players, City of London Sinfonia and all five of the major Irish orchestras, and performed at the Tanglewood Festival, Wigmore Hall, London, Berlin Konzerthaus, Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Lincoln Center, New York, Symphony Hall, Boston and Pesti Vigadó in Budapest.

Reviews

May 2017

Cellist O’Kane is the star of this disc, sensitive and introspective in The Swan, then animated and robust Saint-Saens Sonata No. 1, in which he and McHale have a more even partnership.

June 2017

Is it possible to define a distinctively French style of cello-playing?...whatever it might be, the Irish cellist Brian O’Kane has got the measure of it, and in partnership with Michael McHale the sheer idiomatic elegance of his playing pays rich dividends throughout this handsomely filled disc

19th March 2017

Both players capture the wistful nature of Fauré’s music and the flowing lyricism of Saint-Saëns with unerring elan.

July 2017

Eloquent, balanced performances that both sparkle and sing.

Fauré & Saint-Saëns: Works For Cello & Piano

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