Search - Johannes Brahms, Emanuel Ax :: Brahms: Sonatas for Cello and Piano

A genuinely musical partnership

02/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Amazon.com customer reviews of the Ma/Ax recording of the two cello sonatas for RCA were generally positive, though this eminent duo did seem to leave room for improvement. I have not heard the RCA recording but this Sony remake avoids the problems that plagues the earlier disc. Nowhere do I find Ax "dull" or either artist mechanical. Both are highly sensitive to the introspective nature of the music. There is an ingenuousness, a sense of spontaneous give and take here that makes one forget the star calibre of the players. Excellent recording balance, too. As a worthwhile bonus, the two include their transcription for cello of Brahms' D minor violin sonata. It certainly is an interesting version even if it does not replace the violin version."

Brahms, Ma, Ax - A Warm Camaraderie

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 06/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Many place Brahm's Cello Sonatas as his most personal music while others feel that Brahms is best in the bigger works. The two sonatas of cello and piano - E minor, Op. 38, F major, Op. 99, and and for violin and piano D minor, Op. 108 - cover the course of Brahms' musical career and the variations in his approach to melody, but all three of the works are some of the more introspective, radiantly beautiful works from his chamber pieces.



Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax have performed together and have been close musical comrades for many years so it comes as no surprise that their collaboration is as glued as any other duo work. They seem to sense each other's presence in a most respectful and admiring way. The result is Brahms played with not only technical finesse but with the love that comes from such superb collaboration. Ma's lush cello tone is matched by Ax's subtle phrasing. This is a recital to cherish. Grady Harp, June 06

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Technically proficient, but unemotional and flat

Jonathan R. Fisher | Arlington, VA, USA | 02/06/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautiful piece of music, and there's no question that the performers are technically adept. However, compare this recording to the one by Rostropovich & Serkin and it's clear that Ma and Ax don't feel the piece in the same way. I found it precise, but lacking the richness and delicacy of the other recording. That being said, I imagine that on its own it probably stands as a nice recording."