Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas & Variations

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Release Date: 9th Oct 2020
Catalogue No: 96174
Label: Brilliant Classics
Length: 2 hours 13 minutes

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5 No. 1

Work length22:47

$5.00

$6.45

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

I. Adagio sostenuto

Track length2:22

$1.00

$1.30

I. Allegro

Track length13:42

$3.00

$3.85

III. Rondo. Allegro vivace

Track length6:43

$1.00

$1.30

Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5 No. 2

Work length23:31

$6.00

$7.75

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo

Track length4:16

$1.00

$1.30

II. Allegro molto più tosto presto

Track length10:04

$3.00

$3.85

III. Rondo. Allegro

Track length9:11

$2.00

$2.60

Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69

Work length25:24

$6.00

$7.75

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

I. Allegro non tanto

Track length12:16

$3.00

$3.85

II. Scherzo. Allegro molto

Track length5:09

$1.00

$1.30

III. Adagio cantabile

Track length1:15

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Allegro vivace

Track length6:44

$1.00

$1.30

Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102 No. 1

Work length14:00

$4.00

$5.20

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

I. Andante teneramente

Track length2:38

$1.00

$1.30

II. Allegro vivace

Track length5:06

$1.00

$1.30

III. Adagio - Tempo d'andante

Track length2:09

$1.00

$1.30

IV. Tempo d'andante

Track length4:07

$1.00

$1.30

Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102 No. 2

Work length16:32

$3.00

$3.90

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

I. Allegro con brio

Track length6:05

$1.00

$1.30

II. Adagio con moto sentimento d'affetto

Track length6:15

$1.00

$1.30

III. Allegro - Allegro fugato

Track length4:12

$1.00

$1.30

Beethoven: Variations (12) on "See the conquering hero comes" for Cello and Piano, WoO 45

Work length12:03

$3.00

$3.85

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

12 Variations in G Major on See the conqu'ring hero comes from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, WoO 45

Track length12:03

$3.00

$3.85

Beethoven: Variations (7) on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen", for Cello and Piano, WoO 46

Work length8:57

$2.00

$2.60

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

Variations in E-Flat Major on Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, WoO 46

Track length8:57

$2.00

$2.60

Beethoven: Variations (12) on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" for Cello and Piano, Op. 66

Work length10:03

$3.00

$3.85

Marco Testori (cello), Costantino Mastroprimiano (fortepiano)

12 Variations in F Major on Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen from Mozart's Die Zauberflöte, Op. 66

Track length10:03

$3.00

$3.85

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About

Beethoven wrote sympathetically for the cello throughout his career, from the ardent, lyrical voice of the Op.1 piano trios onwards, and he rarely subjugated the instrument to its basso continuo role still prevalent in the works of Mozart and Haydn. He never contemplated a cello concerto, but his five sonatas, plus sets of crowd-pleasing variations on popular themes by Handel and Mozart, have attracted the great cellists of every era. However, the record catalogue boasts comparatively few period-instrument accounts, made according to the performing principles and bowing of Beethoven’s day, and so this new Brilliant Classics set promises a new and refreshing perspective on some perennially audacious masterpieces.

The Op.5 Sonatas are intended to astound as well as to innovate. For the first time in the history of the cello repertoire, both instruments were invested with equal importance. The piano writing is scarcely less bold and quick-thinking, requiring both musicians to turn on a sixpence from soloist to accompanist and back again, emulating the more equal dialogue of a string quartet. Formal novelty is also in evidence, in the expanded slow introductions and then in the four-movement structures of Op.69 and Op.102 No.1. In every way the last sonatas belongs to Beethoven’s late period: posing questions to listeners as well as performers with every bar, transcending the limits of the instruments to sing and shout, contemplate and argue.

The partnership of Mario Testori and Costantino Mastroprimiano is an experienced one, with a well-received Brilliant Classics album (95023) of late-Classical sonatas by Hummel, Moscheles and Ries to its credit. The pianist also contributes an enlightening booklet essay to this valuable contribution to the Beethoven anniversary year.

Filling “only” two CD’s, the complete works for cello and piano are quintessential and vintage Beethoven. The two youthful Opus 5 sonatas are written in virtuoso concerto style, with an especially glittering role for the piano (Beethoven was a tremendous pianist in his early years), the sonata Op. 69 is in the expansive, sonorous and deep-feeling tonal language of Beethoven’s Middle-Period, whereas the two Late sonatas Op. 102 are marvels of originality, experiment, “quirkiness” and humanity.

This new recording is played on period instruments by two seasoned specialists in the HIP movement (Historically Informed Performance Practice): Formerly of ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, cellist Marco Testori has performed in concert halls around the world, including London’s Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York. He is Professor of Baroque Cello at Salzburg’s Universität Mozarteum. Costantino Mastroprimiano is an accomplished and respected fortepianist, who has extensively recorded for Brilliant Classics, notably the complete Piano Sonatas by Clementi and Hummel, as well as works by Alkan, Moscheles, Ries and others.

Beethoven: Complete Cello Sonatas & Variations

2 CDs

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