Cello Sonata No. 1 In E Minor Op.38: I. Allegro non troppo
Cello Sonata No. 1 In E Minor Op.38: II. Allegretto quasi Menuetto & Trio
Cello Sonata No. 1 In E Minor Op.38: III. Allegro
Cello Sonata No. 2 In F Op.99: I. Allegro vivace
Cello Sonata No. 2 In F Op.99: II. Adagio affetuoso
Cello Sonata No. 2 In F Op.99: III. Allegro passionato
Cello Sonata No. 2 In F Op.99: IV. Allegro molto
Jacqueline du Pré and Daniel Barenboim were married in 1967. One of the first things they did as a couple was make this recording of the Brahms sonatas (when it was finished, in 1968, Du Pré was only 23, Barenboi... more »m an old man of 25). Their collaboration is an intense one, both in the dark, melancholy E minor work and in the passionate F major sonata, which receives a fulminant performance here, even if its scherzo sounds rather elephantine. Du Pré is quite rough much of the time, but her tone is huge and she wrings incredible expression out of every gesture; Barenboim is musically and sonically in the background, which under the circumstances is fine. Excellently remastered, though at a high level, the analog recording has striking immediacy and depth. --Ted Libbey« less
Jacqueline du Pré and Daniel Barenboim were married in 1967. One of the first things they did as a couple was make this recording of the Brahms sonatas (when it was finished, in 1968, Du Pré was only 23, Barenboim an old man of 25). Their collaboration is an intense one, both in the dark, melancholy E minor work and in the passionate F major sonata, which receives a fulminant performance here, even if its scherzo sounds rather elephantine. Du Pré is quite rough much of the time, but her tone is huge and she wrings incredible expression out of every gesture; Barenboim is musically and sonically in the background, which under the circumstances is fine. Excellently remastered, though at a high level, the analog recording has striking immediacy and depth. --Ted Libbey
Christopher Finezeo | Paramus, New Jersey | 01/29/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As per usuale, Jacqueline du Pre *wow'd* my ears with her gripping, soulful interpretation of both Brahms sonatas. If Brahms himself could hear this recording, I am sure he'd think his sonatas found their finest interpretation. du Pre is dazzling, unbridled and in her finest form. Paired with her 1712 Stradavarius, another musical hallmark made for a career cut short by tragedy."
How could it be any better?
rubidium84 | Ft. Calhoun, NE | 12/23/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This might be the most emotional piece of music that I have ever heard, a must for any fan of these instruments or this period. And listen to the passion that Jaqueline du Pre wrings out of her Cello - I don't know of any way to make this a better interpretation. And Barenboim is just as fantastic, bringing to the accompaniment's usually secondary role a masterful command of tone. Like all chamber works, this one deserves to be played LOUDLY, if only so you can pick up every nuance of their expression."
Nice Chamber Music from Brahms; Available as a Reissue
Al Chartreux | Upper West Side, New York, New York United States | 10/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This performance of Brahms' cello sonatas is a testament to the wonderful musical partnership that existed between Jacqueline du Pré and Daniel Barenboim. It's also enjoyable chamber music by Brahms, a composer who - let's face it - can be somewhat challenging and difficult to digest, even for experienced classical music listeners. As an aside, I would point out that this CD was reissued by EMI in 2004; type "B0001O3Y8K" into the search field to find it. At the time of this writing, it's selling for $11.98."
Really excellent
G. Metcalf | United States | 08/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great recording. Despite its vintage the sound quality is excellent and the image of the cello is particularly sharp (the piano is a bit more distant). What beautiful playing! The cello sound is big and rich just as it should be in these sonatas."