Search - Zoltan Kodaly, Bohuslav Martinu, Maurice Ravel :: Double Play / Rachel Barton, Wendy Warner

Very pleasant listening

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 01/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Smaller labels like Cedille can take chances on issuing CDs like (CDR 90000 047). Here is a fine presentation of four duos for violin and cello (think of opera duets for soprano and contralto) that are seldom if ever heard in concerts or on other recordings. We have here Martinu's "Duo No. 2," Schulhoff's "Duo," Ravel's "Sonata," and Kodaly's "Duo, Op 7" played lovingly by Rachel Barton (v.) and Wendy Warner (c.). Composed respectively in 1958, 1925, 1922, and 1914, these works do not give us the lush melodies we get in (say) the duos for violin and viola of Mozart or comparable works by Dvorak. 20th century music tends to be more pioneering, more cerebral and therefore more challenging to the listener. And it is a good thing that the producers and artists have chosen for this offering four different national temperaments to be represented. Highly recommended for the rarity of the selections as much as for the playing."