For sheer musical pleasure this recording made in 2005 when the Capuçons were very new to the scene is difficult to match. Titled appropriately INVENTIONS it focuses on the two part inventions of Bach but as is so typical of these fine musicians, they take the concept further with different composers.
Gautier Capuçon, cello, and his brother Renaud Capuçon, violin, offer the following works by Bach - Two-Part Invention no 8 in F major, BWV 779, Aria from the French Suite no 2 in C minor, BWV 813, the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude and Fugue no 5 in D major, BWV 850 (arranged by Frederick Newmann), the minuet from the French Suite no 2 in C minor, BWV 813, Gavotte from the English Suite no 3 in G minor, BWV 808, Gigue from the English Suite no 2 in A minor, BWV 807, and the Two-Part Invention no 13 in A minor, BWV 784. Their playing is with such pristine clarity that it seems to come form another world!
Following the Bach inventions the Capuçons deliver Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 7 by Hanns Eisler, Masques I and Masques II by Karol Beffa, Hungarian Folk Melodies by Béla Bartók, Duo for Violin and Celo by Gideon Klein, Duo for Violin and Cello no 2 by Bohuslav Martin' , and finally Apple Blossoms: Miniature Viennese March by Fritz Kreisler in which they are joined by their sister Aude Capuçon, piano. The jump into contemporary music is a welcome idea and the gypsy like melodies and Viennese waltzes are delivered in style compatible with the composers' intentions. This recording is a fine survey of the works for violin and cello and the family Capuçon is in fine mettle to deliver an outstanding program. Grady Harp, September 11