Beethoven - The 5 Cello Sonatas - Rostropovich - Richter - Decca UCGD-9053/4 SHM-SACD.JP (2016)
2x SACD rips via PS3 to 2x iso (4.41GB) | Only 2ch Hybrid | DR12&13 | Originally 1963 | Scans | Classical

    Analogue recordings in 1961 and 1963.

I get endless delight & joy from this recording, as the piano part is not mere accompaniment to cello (the recording engineer has done an excellent job balancing both instruments). Noble beauty, grace, tonal delicacy & mature artistry in this finest music partnership is something very special. The remaster adds extra body & sheen to both cello & piano without losing the natural warmth of the cello sound. Highly recommendable along side the youthful & refreshing Barenboim / Du Pre version.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xFG12NCobU

The cello & piano sonatas are among Beethoven's most lively, melodious & inventive pieces. All 5 sonatas, but especially the earlier 3 find the master in heroic mood, captured brilliantly by these 2 great Russian Musicians. They reach great depths of emotion in the Adagio of the last sonata, 1 of the most moving pieces composed by Beethoven. I have heard many versions of these works, but in spite of some slightly recessed recording, these have given me unalloyed pleasure since I 1st encountered them on LP. Rostropovich's huge tone is admirably balanced by Richter's highly sensitive & even delicate pian play. For a man with huge hands & even bigger musical personality, the intimacy that he brings to the quieter movements is remarkable.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anWKfStxLZk

Although this is considered the standard reference recording of these works along with the Casals' version (which is historical & in another category altogether) the performaces here of the 2 early sonatas Op.5,N.1&2 slightly miss the mark for me emotionally. But Op. 102 No. 2 in D is of unparalleled beauty & truly divine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9kHHq_E-Hc

This was 1 of the great recordings of the 1960s, & it still sounds magnificent. Richter rightly sees the piano as being of equal importance with the cello, yet although he plays with assertion & virility, he never drowns the cello. His technique is phenomenal. Would any other pianist today risk such a breakneck tempo in the finale of the G minor? In the 1st movement (both repeats take it almost up to 20 minutes, & I'm not complaining), some of Richter's triplet quavers come very near to losing their clarity, but his flamboyance & aggression pay off, & his phrasing is always a joy. Then there's Rostropovich, the supreme cellist of our time, his technique astonishing, his musicianship mesmeric. In my experience, the Op. 5 Sonatas have never sounded so compelling. I did just wonder if the Op. 69 Sonata in A might have benefited from a slightly more relaxed approach from the pianist, a touch more expression in the slow movement (why, on why did Beethoven limit it to only 18 bars?), but this too is an unforgettable performance of the highest quality, & in those enigmatic Op. 102 Sonatas the players reveal subtleties that make them much more approachable than usual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfs9WXfJWM4

One might like to get a DVD version too e.g. https://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=74757

      Tracks:

CD 1: Beethoven: The Cello Sonatas

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Sonata For Cello And Piano No.1 In F, Op.5 No.1
1.1. Adagio sostenuto - Allegro16:35
2.2. Rondo (Allegro vivace)6:36
Sonata For Cello And Piano No.2 In G Minor, Op.5 No.2
3.1. Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo/ Allegro molto più tosto presto19:55
4.2. Rondo (Allegro)7:10
Sonata For Cello And Piano No.3 In A, Op.69
5.1. Allegro ma non tanto11:58
6.2. Scherzo (Allegro molto)5:32
7.3. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace8:35

      Time: 1:16:21

CD 2: Beethoven: The Cello Sonatas

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 - 1827)
Sonata For Cello And Piano No.4 In C, Op.102 No.1
1.1. Andante - Allegro vivace7:40
2.2. Adagio - Tempo d'andante - Allegro vivace6:48
Sonata For Cello And Piano No.5 In D, Op.102 No.2
3.1. Allegro con brio6:20
4.2. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto7:30
5.3. Allegro - Allegro fugato4:06

      Time: 32:24

      Musicians:

Mstislav Rostropovich: cello
Sviatoslav Richter: piano

http://www.filefactory.com/folder/19c86bc7e6ce48cd

Checksums for the 2x iso:
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MD5: 325425884e837e51471c449c8a05e8d9 *Rostropovich - Richter - Beethoven The 5 Cello Sonatas -disc 1.iso
SFV: Rostropovich - Richter - Beethoven The 5 Cello Sonatas - Disc 2.iso DBF3AA88
SFV: Rostropovich - Richter - Beethoven The 5 Cello Sonatas -disc 1.iso 4C7D644F