Sonata for cello & piano in C major, Op. 119: I. Andante Grave - Moderato Animato
Sonata for cello & piano in C major, Op. 119: II. Moderato - Andante Dolce
Sonata for cello & piano in C major, Op. 119: III. Allegro, Ma Non Troppo
Sonata for cello & piano in G minor, Op. 19: No. 1, Lento - Allegro moderato
Sonata for cello & piano in G minor, Op. 19: No. 2, Allegro scherzando
Sonata for cello & piano in G minor, Op. 19: No. 3, Andante
Sonata for cello & piano in G minor, Op. 19: No. 4, Allegro mosso
The prize here is the Rachmaninoff cello sonata, a warm, hyper-Romantic musical tapestry that gives both the pianist and cellist a major workout. Ma is a superb chamber-music player, as is Ax. Both offer the kind of artist... more »ic give-and-take that a great performance of this music requires, while neither weighs the music down with excessive indulgence. The Prokofiev, a very different sort of musical beast, is a much lighter work, but it's done no less well. This is one of Ma's best chamber-music discs. --David Hurwitz« less
The prize here is the Rachmaninoff cello sonata, a warm, hyper-Romantic musical tapestry that gives both the pianist and cellist a major workout. Ma is a superb chamber-music player, as is Ax. Both offer the kind of artistic give-and-take that a great performance of this music requires, while neither weighs the music down with excessive indulgence. The Prokofiev, a very different sort of musical beast, is a much lighter work, but it's done no less well. This is one of Ma's best chamber-music discs. --David Hurwitz
"Yes, the Rachmaninov Sonata is quite a beautiful work -- and this is coming from someone who can't stand Rachmaninov in general! I can't understand how one of the reviewers below could say that Ma and Ax ignore the intensity and climax points of this work. There is intensity, climax, and wonderful direction of phrasing aplenty in this recording. Perhaps such people expect Rachmaninov performances to be always cheezy and sentimental. In fact, the work is assertive and vigorous, though still thoroughly romantic. I'm inclined to think that Rachmaninov performance practice nowadays makes him sound more hopelessly cheezy than he really is. Oh well. But for me, the jewel of this CD is the Prokofiev Sonata. What an eloquent work, full of Prokofiev's deceptive simplicity! There is none of the cheeky energy of, say, the Fifth Symphony or the Seventh Piano Sonata. This work is full of a wistful lyricism, a gentle melancholy. Ma and Ax understand this and perform the work accordingly, with Ma's usually gorgeous phrasing and Ax's strong yet sensitive accompaniment. If you don't fall in love with Prokofiev's first movement, with all those gorgeous melodies and motives, I'm inclined to believe that you don't have any ears or a heart!"
One of the best CDs I own
Mark Genfan | 12/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"And that says a lot. Ma and Ax deliver a fantastic performance on this CD, which also contains some of the finest recording quality you will ever hear. This CD converted me to Rachmaninov (whom I hadn't like prior to hearing his cello sonata). Ignore what the yahoo below says about Ma and Ax delivering a bad performance - this is an excellent CD, and I recommend it highly."
Why I Like Rachmaninov
Ryan Richards | Midland, MI United States | 03/21/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I never liked Rachmaninov, ever. Ever. But this CD changed my mind in one fell swoop. Listen particularly to the Allegro Scherzando; such demoniac strains mixed with (at least, in the capable hands of Ax and Ma) such lyric, overflowing beauty. And yes, A Music Fan is correct--the Andante is a deeply moving, doleful movement that is played to perfection here. The first time I heard the movement all the way through, I thought in astonishment, "That was absolutely perfect!"--perhaps the only time I've ever felt that way about a performance of anything. There's Prokofiev here too, but it's the Rachmaninov that truly makes this CD shine. One of the most moving musical experiences anyone's likely to have."
From someone who was there
Mark Genfan | Martindale, TX USA | 08/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was technical director for this recording. For those that "like the sound," thank you. For those that don't "hear" the soul in this recording, I can only say being there and listening and watching was one of the most moving and amazing experiences of my life. Trust me, there was soul and passion coming from Manny and YoYo. I believe the recording translates a good measure of that."
I also prefer Prokofiew-Ma & Ax what wonderful Performance
MR WT MAKHATHINI | Durban, South Africa | 11/09/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On "andante grave" the cello opens with a bass tone slowly the piano follows with & so moves the two instruments towards the end of quick movements to end with a soft subletly ending. In "iii moderato-andante dolce"-piano opens with a smooth cello sound following almost sliding sound -very lyrical cello. It is stated that Prokofiew's compositions were not usually acceptable by purists. I think his method -writing something that comes from within.Very funny though because Russian composers wer so afraid of the system of Govt.i.e Stalin era resulting in very restricted music. Yes I have a heart & I feel the music & I know when music deserves to be appplauded.Ma & Ax render an excellent interpretation. I noticed though that Ax's piano sounds powerful almost overshadows the cello especially at the end of "iii allegro ma non troppo andantino". Rachmaninoff's music is warm, subtle almost romantic especially "allegro scherzando" & "iii andante" & iv allegro mosso-moderato". Lucky for me I got the extended edition with 3 bonus tracks, Shostakovich -cello sonata -very lyrical with both players giving it an excellent performance -charming. Britten's cello sonata is so beautiful.The cello sounds like a crying child almost pleading to be forgiven -wistful -lyrical -ends with a gentle piano photo finish.Strauss 's music deserves to be applauded. There's intensity here. Yes Yo Yo Ma might not be the best cellist out there but he excells in this album.Ma is not my favourate cellist either but i cant just criticise everything he does simple because everyone feels the same about him.Therefore the questions are, Is he famous? YES does he sound the in "everything" he does? NO NO NO therefore does he do the best as an artist YES YES YES.is he is commited to music YES!YES!."
Track Listings (7) - Disc #1
