Pieter Wispelwey & Paolo Giacometti - Chopin & Mendelssohn: Cello Sonatas (2011)

Between Beethoven and Brahms, little was written in the way of duo sonatas for cello and piano. And while Beethoven made great strides toward the liberation of the cello from beneath the more dominant piano, the piano still came out on top. The few other great sonatas to emerge from the first half of the 19th century went further still in helping the cello achieve equality. Most notably, the Mendelssohn sonatas (Op. 58/2 heard on this disc) and the lone Chopin sonata, find the two players on more level pegging. Both sonatas showcase the nimble technical elegance as well as the lyrical, soulful beauty of the cello.

This Onyx album features cellist Pieter Wispelwey joined by pianist and long-time collaborator Paolo Giacometti in stunning performances of these brilliant sonatas. As the scores assign equal importance to both instruments, these two musicians engage in an exhilarating give and take of musical ideas, a true discourse among equals. Wispelwey is technically polished, musically inviting, and possessing a powerful but velvety tone. Giacometti's playing is elegant with a sophisticated touch, wonderful dynamic range, and a scintillating control of balance. -- Mike D. Brownell