Search - Joel Krosnick / Gilbert Kalish :: Beethoven: Cello Sonatas & Variations

ALSO EXEMPLARY

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 02/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is certainly no meager selection, should one want to eagerly browse musical resources, of complete collections of Beethoven's Cello Sonatas and Variations in all price ranges. The artistic competition, as well, is scarcely meager: Rostropovich/Richter, Du Pre/Barenboim, Fournier/Kempff, Harrell/Ashkenazy, Maisky/Argerich, to name a few, all of whom are exemplary.
Why this set, then?
For me it was, simply, Gilbert Kalish, a gifted interpreter whose many Nonesuch LPs (and, now, composite CD) of Haydn piano sonatas were indelible paragons. It was not a long stretch to figure that Mr. Kalish would bring his warm sensitivity and vitality to Beethoven, as well; at least, I hoped so.
And then, of course, there's Joel Krosnick's ample, communicative cello, which has spoken with seasoned ease through his near quarter century membership in the Julliard Quartet, yet another paragon.
Why this set, then?
Because these two distinguished artists strike an absolutely faithful partnership in their unfailingly thoughtful, spontaneous and beautifully molded Beethoven, their seemingly effortless support of each other, and to each other, perfectly balanced. As well, they bring to the sonatas and variations an intimacy that creates an irresistible aural immediacy and bracing spirit, one that makes this set a frontrunner and not merely a supplement to what you may already own. [Running time--- CD 1: 72:36 CD 2: 72:28]"