Both the Austrian-German duo of cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl and pianist Andreas Woyke and the apparently audiophile-oriented Hypo Steiermark label are little known, but that may change as a result of this disc. The sound deserves the first mention. No technical data are given, not even a recording location, so even the gear-inclined may have trouble figuring out how it was done, but the label's engineers have created a warm, rich sound that achieves the elusive goal of duplicating on CD the best sonic environments of the LP ...
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Both the Austrian-German duo of cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl and pianist Andreas Woyke and the apparently audiophile-oriented Hypo Steiermark label are little known, but that may change as a result of this disc. The sound deserves the first mention. No technical data are given, not even a recording location, so even the gear-inclined may have trouble figuring out how it was done, but the label's engineers have created a warm, rich sound that achieves the elusive goal of duplicating on CD the best sonic environments of the LP era. It fits in perfectly with Kleinhapl's 1743 Guadagnini cello, an instrument with an altogether seductive velvety buzz. Sample the opening phrases of the Cello Sonata in A major, Op. 69 (track 5), and you just may be drawn into the entire disc. The sound of the instruments matches the engineering, and the interpretations fit well with the whole picture, as well. This is very Romantic playing for early and middle Beethoven, and those who prefer a restrained Viennese Classical...
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