Beethoven: Sonatas, Vol. 2

Marking the beginning of his "late period," Beethoven's final two sonatas for cello and piano were written in a year in which the composer produced very little else. They largely abandon many traditional tenets of the classical sonata in their truncated length and atypical movement orientation. In the right hands these two sonatas are a tremendous insight into Beethoven's mindset at the time, and the quality of the works to come. Enter cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl and pianist Andreas Woyke, whose vision for these late, ... Read More

Marking the beginning of his "late period," Beethoven's final two sonatas for cello and piano were written in a year in which the composer produced very little else. They largely abandon many traditional tenets of the classical sonata in their truncated length and atypical movement orientation. In the right hands these two sonatas are a tremendous insight into Beethoven's mindset at the time, and the quality of the works to come. Enter cellist Friedrich Kleinhapl and pianist Andreas Woyke, whose vision for these late, sophisticated sonatas is one of surprising energy and spontaneity. Kleinhapl's playing here is quite edgy, almost aggressive, with a bow stroke so short and dry in the fast movements that a pitch is almost indiscernible. For some listeners, this markedly vertical approach will likely be an immediate turn off. For others, Kleinhapl will be heralded for offering a new sense of vitality to two sonatas, which are often treated far too daintily. The sound achieved by Woyke and Kleinhapl, and... Read Less