Gabriel Schwabe, Helen Weiss - Kodaly, Zoltan (1882-1967) Sonata For Cello Solo, Duo: Schwabe(Vc)H.Weiss(Vn)+Ligeti: Sonata For Cello Solo - Import CD

Credits:

Gabriel Schwabe, Helen Weiss

Description:

Although Kodály is known for his numerous choral works based on Hungarian folk songs, the Duet for Violin and Cello from 1914 and the Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello from the following year are unquestionably the most popular masterpieces representing Kodály's early period. The "Sonata for Unaccompanied Cello," filled with tension and beautiful tones, has become a cherished work among cellists because of its high degree of difficulty in performance, coupled with the effect of the diverse sounds produced by the instruments. The "Duet for Violin and Cello," on the other hand, combines the whimsical tone of the violin and the receptive tone of the cello in a passionate rendition of a song with rich folkloric overtones. It is still a masterpiece that requires a high level of technique. Ligeti's sonata is a work in two movements. In 1953, when Ligeti was asked to compose a new work for cello, he added a second movement, which requires extreme technical skill, and made it into a sonata. However, the composer's union under the influence of the Soviet Union refused to play it.NAXOS' cellist of choice, Schwabe's strong yet supple performance conveys the true value of the work. Naxos Japan