BEWITCHING BRAHMS
Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 05/24/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having recently "binged" on a various lot of recordings of Brahms' Sonatas for Cello and Piano, most notably the Ma/Ax, Wispelwey/Komen, Rose/Pommier and the Rostropovich/Serkin, I came to the partnership of Colin Carr and Lee Luvisi with few or absolutely no expectations. I was literally turned around. Eschewing the bravado and pyrotechnical prowess employed in the usual obligatory fashion, these meditative artists paint the sonatas in romantic strokes that are completely idiomatic, deeply moving, penetrating and endlessly illuminating. Rarely have I heard a cellist more attuned, literally, to the autumnal dialogue between angst and joy that Brahms invests in these elusive works, nor have I encountered a pianist as faithfully simpatico. The superior recording, as well, enhances and optimizes the artists' vision. Carr's cello is raptly caught, its emotional permutations, from the highest cry to the lowest sigh, breathtaking; and Luvisi's piano, the perfect amalgam, is also the perfect lover. So well suited are these musicians that the sonatas truly become ethereal dances of the most delicate passion and nuance. Carr and Luvisi close the CD with a beautiful rendition of Schumann's Fantasiestucke, Op. 73, pieces that complement the Brahms sonatas with just the right balance of melancholy and spontaneity.[Running time: 66:47]"
Silky-smooth Brahms
Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 03/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is an equisite, poised, warm-hearted performance of Brahms (and Schumann's) well-conceived pieces for cello and piano, bathed in a beautiful, full-bodied recording ambiance. While the record label (Arabesque) or performers (Colin Carr, Lee Luvisi) might not be the most well-known, they do have a strong reputation for quality and artistry. I have greatly enjoyed other performances by Colin Carr on Arabesque (Dvorak piano trios) and this CD is equally full of depth, insight and melodic beauty.
Carr and Luvisi bring a "restrained passion" to these masterpieces that brims with an attractive but measured German-Romantic expressivity. In the masterful contrapuntal movements, their ensemble is completely in synch with Brahms' visions of Bach that brings out the interplay with great vivicity. Like the reviewer below notes, their's is somewhat of an "autumnal" take on these works which impart an effortless, lyrically-puntuated flow to the music that makes it rather irresistable. Carr's cello indeed does sing with a gorgeous tonality and silky smooth melodic phrasing throughout - especially in the opening movement of the first sonata, the tender adagio of the second and the middle movements of the Schumann fantasy piece. In some ways, his tone and style reminds me of the romantic, sensual playing of Misha Maisky - which is a definitely a compliment in this repertoire.
Additionally, this recording got high marks from the Third Ear Guide to Classical Music (but was absent from Gramophone or Penguin as the USA Arabesque label is not well known in the UK). And while there is a quiver of fine recordings of these cello sonatas (du Pre, Rostropovich, Starker, Ma, Wispelwey, Isserlis), this one by Carr and Luvisi can complete with the best, especially for listeners who favor a buttery smooth, tonally sensual interpretation. It has become a favorite of my large collection. Superb compositions + equisite playing + vivid sound + low price = 5 stars."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1