On this recording, Steven Isserlis, together with his regular collaborator, forte pianist Robert Levin, presents a magisterial compendium of Beethoven's complete works for cello and piano, including Beethoven's arrangement of his Horn Sonata. The use of the fortepiano opens up a wealth of sonic possibilities for these works. The five Cello Sonatas span Beethoven's compositional epochs and comprise the most important cycle of cello sonatas in the entire repertoire. Isserlis writes that the composer, "transforms himself from confident virtuoso to supreme master of classical form, and then beyond that to a mystic exploring strange new worlds of unearthly beauty - a wondrous transfiguration."
1 Adagio Sostenuto (Cello Sonata in F Major Op 5 No 1)
2 Allegro
3 Allegro Vivace
4 Adagio Sostenuto Ed Espressivo (Cello Sonata in G minor Op 5 No 2)
5 Allegro Molto Piu Tosto Presto
6 Rondo: Allegro
7 Allegro, Ma Non Tanto (Cello Sonata in a Major Op 69)
8 Scherzo: Allegro Molto
9 Adagio Cantabile
10 Allegro Vivace
- Disc 2 -
1 Andante (Cello Sonata in C Major Op 102 No 1)
2 Allegro Vivace
3 Adagio- Tempo D'andante
4 Allegro Vivace
5 Allegro Con Brio (Cello Sonata in D Major Op 102 No 2)
6 Adagio Con Molto Sentimento D'affetto
7 Allegro-Allegro Fugato
8 Variations in G Major on 'See the Conqu'ring Hero Comes' from Handel's Judas MacCabaeus
9 Variations in F Major on 'Ein Madchen Oder Weibchen' from Mozart's Die Zauberflote
10 Variations in E Flat Major on 'Bei Mannern, Welche Liebe Fuhlen' from Mozart's Die Zauberflote
11 Allegro Moderato (Horn Sonata in F Major Op 17 Arranged for Cello and Piano)
12 Poco Adagio, Quasi Andante
13 Rondo: Allegro Moderato
On this recording, Steven Isserlis, together with his regular collaborator, forte pianist Robert Levin, presents a magisterial compendium of Beethoven's complete works for cello and piano, including Beethoven's arrangement of his Horn Sonata. The use of the fortepiano opens up a wealth of sonic possibilities for these works. The five Cello Sonatas span Beethoven's compositional epochs and comprise the most important cycle of cello sonatas in the entire repertoire. Isserlis writes that the composer, "transforms himself from confident virtuoso to supreme master of classical form, and then beyond that to a mystic exploring strange new worlds of unearthly beauty - a wondrous transfiguration."
