Search - Johannes Brahms, Emanuel Ax :: Brahms: Cello Sonatas

Ma expresses rich tonality

Paul J. Vest | Branchville, AL | 10/31/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"An avid cellist myself, nearly any recording of a work for cello will find a place in my library--but Ma's recording of the Brahms' Cello Sonatas in E-minor and F-minor find a special place. Brahms always sought warmth and a tonal depth in his compositions--and therefore favored the clarinet, oboe, and cello among orchestra instruments. His writings for cello express his passionate empathy for the instrument, and Ma does a masterful job of extending this to the listener. The E-minor sonata is a story in itself. The darkness and light of the first movement; the playfulness of the second; and the whirlwind frenzy of the Third--which brings afterthoughts of the minuet to the audience. I highly recommend this recording to all music lovers--you can't go wrong here!"

Perfect music and great performers.

Paul J. Vest | 03/20/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Brahms Cello Sonatas are in my opinion two of the greatest pieces ever composed for the Cello. At first, I didn't like Mr. Ma's interpretation of the 1st Sonata. I always imagined it to be dark and heavy (and that was the way I used to play it) and he made it sound a little too "light" for my taste. But the performance of the 2nd sonata made it all worthwhile. Ma and Ax are great performers and work together well."

The stuff of passion

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 11/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe Brahms was at his most expressive and romantic in his chamber music (few pieces can beat the second movement of his Sextet in B flat for intense emotion), and these two sonatas are prime examples.
From the subtle quiet beginning passages of the Allegro non Troppo of Sonata # 1, to the exquisite tenderness and stunning pizzicato section of the Adagio Affettuoso of Sonata # 2, and on to its vigorous Allegro Molto finale, this is ardent, potent music, despite the limiting simplicity of being for just two instruments.Ma and Ax are simply fabulous. They capture all the different colorations and moods from gentleness to ecstasy, and there are passages of despair too...of acute longing; a love letter with musical notes instead of words. I find the performances not only technically superb, but extremely moving. Brahms must have been a fiery soul with a deep heart, and these masterful interpretations serve him well.
The foldout insert has liner notes that delve into the intellectual details of these pieces, sound for this 1985 recording is quite good, and total time is 56'53."