Search - Cesar Franck, Claude Debussy, Martha Argerich :: Franck, Debussy: Works for Cello

Argerich & Maisky - You can't go wrong

Stephen M. Wayne | Cambria, CA USA | 04/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My title for this review says it all. When these two collaborate, you'll get music-making of the highest order. That said, I had a bit of trepidation when I first became aware of this recording. I'd heard some of Yo Yo Ma's recordings of transcriptions for the cello from the original violin sonata, and while he always produced exemplary work (after all, he IS Yo Yo Ma), I wasn't convinced that the music survived the transition from violin to cello. Here, in the Franck, Maisky proved to me that this music is just as gorgeous and passionate when played on the cello. The notes tell me that Franck himself did the transcribing, but I'm sure that Mischa Maisky is the reason I was so taken with this recording. Needless to say, the Debussy sonata is also played as if it were the premiere work for the cello literature. The recorded sound is really excellent, helping one hear the emotion projected by these artists."