COMPOSERS: Chopin/Franck
LABELS: RCA Victor Red Seal
WORKS: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65; Cello Sonata in A
PERFORMER: Ofra Harnoy (cello), Cyprien Katsaris (pno)
CATALOGUE NO: 09026 61818 2 DDD
Franck’s Sonata was first published with a treble clef solo part ‘for violin or cello’. Harnoy here sticks to this original melodic shape, eschewing the usual Delsart cello transcription which often plunges down an extra octave. The sweetness of her tone in the resultant high A string work is impressive; but I missed the lower range’s fuller sound in the finale’s more strident passages. Chopin’s late Sonata also finds sympathetic exponents here. The rumbustious Scherzo is particularly good: its trio could set one waltzing. Janet Banks
Chopin/Franck
Franck’s Sonata was first published with a treble clef solo part ‘for violin or cello’. Harnoy here sticks to this original melodic shape, eschewing the usual Delsart cello transcription which often plunges down an extra octave. The sweetness of her tone in the resultant high A string work is impressive; but I missed the lower range’s fuller sound in the finale’s more strident passages. Chopin’s late Sonata also finds sympathetic exponents here. The rumbustious Scherzo is particularly good: its trio could set one waltzing. Janet Banks
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:32 pm