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Disc 2:
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
At a very reasonable price, this is an excellent CD set; there are few cellists in the same class as Rostropovich and he and Richter make an excellent duo. To have all of Beethoven's music on two CDs played by two musicians of this class makes a highly recommended addition to any CD collection.
2 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best cello & piano CD I own.
Richter and Rostropovich are superb.
Richter and Rostropovich are superb.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
21 reviews
39 of 41 people found the following review helpful
Lesser known Beethoven masterpieces, brilliantly played
29 May 2000
Format:Audio CD
This outstanding compilation contains some of Ludwig van Beethoven's lesser known chamber music masterpieces. In his lifetime, Beethoven composed 5 cello sonatas and three sets of variations for cello and piano. Pianist Sviatoslav Richter and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, two of the great Russian masters of their instruments in the 20th century, give brilliant performances of the cello sonatas. Richter's and Rostropovich's enjoyment of the music and each other is readily evident. They make a superb team throughout, catching every mood and nuance of each sonata.
Beethoven based two of the variation sets on Mozart's "Magic Flute," and the third set on Georg Fridrich Handel's "Judas Maccabeus." Jean Francaix (pianist) and Maurice Gendron (cellist) are equally brilliant in their performances of these cello and piano variations. As always with Philips Duo releases, sound quality is absolutely first class. Lovers of Beethoven's music (especially his chamber works) will find this 2-CD set an essential addition to their collection.
33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
where is the surprise?
17 Feb 2000
Format:Audio CD
There is nothing much to add on positive comments of other reviewers on the marvelous interpretation by Richter and Rostropovich, the gorgeous sound of cello, emotional and perfectly balanced by the piano in the sonates. This record has been awarded three time as the year record in France, Germany and Japan? But what to say on the variations especially the one adapted from Mozart's Zauberflote on the theme of Papageno? Listen the 7 variations (track 7 on the record-2) a melody so beautiful that you will never forget it! Who knows Maurice Gendron? the timbre of his cello is rich, deep, textural and the rythm perfect. This is the surprise added already to the fantastic duo of artists mentioned before. This set is a reference not only for the sonates but also a pleasure always renewed when listening. Philips has made a good choice by completing the CD with variations from Handel and Mozart. Gohead....buy it and dream about, it is wonderful.
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Performance and Production to Consider
26 Jun 2010
Format:Audio CD
I wholeheartedly agree with the five stars for this performance. The synergy between Rostropovich and Richter is uncanny at times. I have nothing new to add on that score that has not already been said. Why three stars, then? The production. These recordings were originally made in the early sixties. Sonata 3 in the UK in 1961, sonatas 2&4 in Austria in 1962, sonatas 1&5 in the Netherlands in 1966. They were remastered and released in 1994. Philips has a reputation for quality recordings, but whoever worked on these dropped the ball. The first sound you hear when the cd begins is not beautiful music, but a high, harsh hissing that remains active throughout the recordings. This at times distracts from the Pianissimo passages, and is absolutely disruptive of the Pianissimissimo passages, with the softest of notes blending into the hiss.
Now, that having been said, if you are someone who can filter out background noise, then this might not be an issue at all. If you are sensitive to such noises, and prefer crystal clarity to your recordings, then this one might well disappoint, as it did with me.
Now, that having been said, if you are someone who can filter out background noise, then this might not be an issue at all. If you are sensitive to such noises, and prefer crystal clarity to your recordings, then this one might well disappoint, as it did with me.
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