Search - Ginastera, Piazolla :: Works for Cello & Piano

This duo of Brazilian pianist and German cellist has the flair and rhythm for these South American pieces. Their Ginastera is quite exciting, and the dance rhythms of the Piazzolla are right out front where they belong. Unfortunately, the remainder of the disc is taken up with a Cello Sonata by Villa-Lobos, more than half an hour long. In the manner of most of this composer's large-scale works, it rambles along from one point to another, passing by a few attractive moments but mostly sounding as though the composer's mind was on something else. Except for Villa-Lobos completists, it's hard to recommend this disc, when the two good pieces are also available from Brey and O'Riley with better couplings and at a lower price. --Leslie Gerber