Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"SCHUBERT: SONGS WITHOUT WORDS is an elegant recital by pianist Daria Hovora and cellist Mischa Maisky that allows us to hear Schubert songs, beautifully rich as they are with the texts as sung by many of our finest singers, here solely for the instrumental line. Somehow the interplay between melody and accompaniment (always an equal partnership in Schubert's hands) is heightened by this experience.
Not that the entire album is appropriated by the cello standing in for a vocalist: the opening work is "Sonata for Arpeggione and Klavier" and is one of the highlights of the CD. But just listen to the performances of 'Standchen', 'An die Musik' and 'Du bist die Ruhe' and hear the extraordinary marriage between the piano and cello, singing as beautifully as any other version. This is one of those CDs that bears keeping out for multiple listenings in the late evening. Grady Harp, October 2004"
Soft and tender
PM Herder | Delft, The Netherlands | 01/03/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For people who like Schubert, this CD is a real must. The songs are not sung, in stead the cello takes the place of the human voice. It is played with such extreme sensitivity that you must love it. It definitely is my favourite CD."
Incredible Album
Lester Olmstead-Rose | San Francisco, CA, USA | 04/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of Shubert's Songs Without Words is stunning. The music is rarely heard and deserves a much wider audience. The lyricism, the execution, and the pure pleasure you will hear on this album are unsurpassed in the romantic repertoire. I generaly prefer vocal music; the cello does all the voice can do and more in this recording."
Wonderful performances, great recording....
Kenneth J. Luurs | Oak Park, IL USA | 08/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK, I own a zillion CD's but if I were headed to the provervial desert isle...this would be one to be sure to slip into one of my wallet sleeves.First off, the music is unbelievably beautiful -- you get a first class performance of the Arpeggione. Maisky's tone just melts. But then, there's the addition of the Schubert songs - and here's where this album is peerless.I'd recommend this recording to anyone who loves cello music, Schubert or just frankly is looking for some new repertoire -- a wonderful gift for that classical music friend you don't know what to give."