Search - Camille Saint-Saens, Francois-Joël Thiollier :: Saint-Saëns: Cello Sonatas; Suite for Cello and Piano, Op. 16

Satisfying

David Saemann | 04/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Considering how popular Saint-Saens's writing for cello is in The Swan and the First Concerto, it is striking how neglected his longer music for cello and piano is. These all are superb compositions. The First Sonata was composed in the wake of France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian war, and is suitably turbulent in nature. The Second Sonata was written thirty years later, and is a longer and perhaps more ambitious piece. The Suite is earlier than the Sonatas, although its workmanship is excellent. The playing of the soloists is stylish and beautiful. The sound engineering at times is somewhat recessed for Kliegel, whose sound picture is more generalized than what one usually hears on a chamber music recording. She is aptly supported by Thiollier, who seems to have an almost instinctive feel for the style of Saint-Saens's piano writing. One would love to hear him in the Piano Concertos. This CD is a fine and inexpensive way to become acquainted with some very deserving cello repertoire."