Search - Fryderyk Chopin, Cesar Franck, Daniel Barenboim :: Cello Sonatas

Great recordings, great performers and great price!

P. Rah | Sion, Switzerland | 02/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a welcome reissue of cello sonatas recorded by Jacqueline du Pre with her husband Daniel Barenboim. The Brahms and the Chopin/Franck recordings were first issued on CD separately in the 1980s and the sound for the Chopin disc was acceptable, but not the best one could have hoped for. A pity since the performances are riveting. But EMI has reissued this along with the two Brahms sonatas (the sound was always fine for the Brahms), and also remastered the original tapes for better sound reproduction. And what a job the EMI engineer has done! The hiss level is much lower than the first issue on CD and there is much more space to the recording. In the review of the first CD issue, I complained that the sound was too boxy and dry for an Abbey Road recording - a very warm acoustic usually. This has been rectified and the cello is less forward, giving a more balanced perspective to the recording. It adds to the enjoyment to the intense performance. The Brahms sonatas were recorded at the peak of du Pre's power, and what we get are readings of beautiful intensity and lyricism. The remastered sound has brought greater detail to the already wonderful recording. The Chopin sonata has all the panache and freedom needed for this rhapsodic piece and the Franck almost borders on the vulgar side of performance, but du Pre refrains from bad taste and gives a totally passionate performance. Listen to the last movement - it simply sings for joy! This is a set not to be missed by du Pre fans, and at budget price it is an irrestible bargain for other classical music lovers"