Users' Reviews
By WH99400
21-Mar-2012
Warm, pleasing Mendelssohn
This disc starts with Sonata No. 1, Op. 45, and right from the beginning we get dark chords followed by bright notes in the piano and warm melodic lines from the cello. The piano is nimble, the cello sensitive, and this listener felt that he was in for a treat on this disc. In the second movement Paul Watkins' cello grabs the attention, resuming a more even partnership with the piano in the energetic third movement. Ahhh... this is wonderful!
Next up is a series of Variations Concertantes, Op. 17, and in each of these the cello and piano make good partners – Paul Watkins (cello) and Huw Watkins (piano) really sound good together and complement each other. It is easy to get lost in the variations, the music making is so good, and Mendelssohn’s material is delightful. Following this is the Lied ohne Worte, Op. 109, and it is captivating, joyful, evocative, simple, somber, and complex all at the same time and in succession. The artists do a fantastic job here.
The last piece is Sonata No. 2, Op. 58, and once again Watkins brings the work to life. Chamber music is essentially a conversation between the instruments involved, and it is incredibly evident here in this work. The cello and piano are like old friends sharing an afternoon of experiences, with each movement more emotionally intoxicating than the last. The third movement particularly stood out for me, with sweeping lines from the cello and sensitive accompaniment from the piano – just simply gorgeous.
The recording quality itself is exceptional, and I can’t say enough about the interplay between the two brothers and their instruments. I really liked this disc a lot. If you love Mendelssohn, you won’t be disappointed!
more....
