Beethoven: Music For Cello & Piano
Bridge, 2025
9/10
Listen to Beethoven: Music For Cello & Piano
Emanuel Gruber’s cello and Arnon Erez's piano come together for this double CD interpretation of Beethoven’s music for cello and piano that sounds better than ever in this remastered setting.
“Cello Sonata No. 1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1” opens with the swift keys and gorgeous cello emitting much warmth and grace, and “12 Variations on a theme from Handel’s ‘Judas Maccabaeus’’ follows with the animated fingers and heartfelt strings that are touching and playful.
Deeper into disc A, “7 Variations on a theme from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’” radiates much beauty and color thanks to the meticulous interaction between the pair, while disc B leads with the moody and poetic “Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor”, where some tension resides amid the cautious instrumentation.
“Cello Sonata No. 5” exits, and it’s a vibrant display of agile keys and stirring cello, where both gentle and frisky bouts leave an indelible impression.
Gruber and Erez bring a wealth of talent and experience to this effort, where justice is served to Beethoven’s vision and unfolds with technical and timeless song craft
Travels well with: David S. Lefkowitz- Preludes And Fugues For Piano; Arlene Sierra- Birds & Insects