Beethoven: Complete Works for Cello & Piano [Import]

Antony Cooke (Artist), Armin Watkins (Artist), Beethoven (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Beethoven
• Audio CD (January 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Centaur
• ASIN: B00018D3ZU
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,355,102 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sonata for cello & piano No. 1 in F major, Op. 5/1: Adagio sostenuto. Allegro

2. Sonata for cello & piano No. 1 in F major, Op. 5/1: Allegro vivace

3. Sonata for cello & piano No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5/2: Adagio sostenuto ed espressivo. Allegro molto piu tosto presto

4. Sonata for cello & piano No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5/2: Allegro: Rondo

5. Sonata for cello & piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: Allegro, ma non tanto

6. Sonata for cello & piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: Allegro molto: Scherzo

7. Sonata for cello & piano No. 3 in A major, Op. 69: Adagio cantabile. Allegro vivace

Disc: 2

1. Sonata for cello & piano No. 4 in C major, Op. 102/1: Andante. Allegro vivace

2. Sonata for cello & piano No. 4 in C major, Op. 102/1: Adagio. Tempo d'Andante. Allegro vivace

3. Sonata for cello & piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102/2: Allegro con brio

4. Sonata for cello & piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102/2: Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto

5. Sonata for cello & piano No. 5 in D major, Op. 102/2: Allegro fugato

6. Sonata for violin & piano No. 2 in A major, Op. 12/2

7. Variations for cello & piano in F major on Mozart's 'Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen,' Op. 66

8. Variations for cello & piano in E flat major on Mozart's 'Bei Männern,' WoO 46

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beethoven would agree...., March 11, 2004

By 

"tstuartfromchicago" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Complete Works for Cello & Piano (Audio CD)

With the incomprehensible number of recordings of Beethoven's Symphonies, Piano Sonatas, Piano Concertos, String Quartets, etc., etc., it is a joy when a recording emerges that so convincingly stands out above the rest. This release of the five Sonatas for Cello and Piano and the three sets of Variations (in other words, the "complete works for cello and piano"), with Cooke (cello) and Watkins (piano) is musically and technically, absolutely breathtaking (yes, I get goosebumps while listening to this). If you already have other versions of these works, you owe it to yourself to hear this recording. If you don't have this repertoire in your collection, this is the one to get. You won't be disappointed - neither would Beethoven!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beethoven would agree, March 11, 2004

By 

"tstuartfromchicago" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven: Complete Works for Cello & Piano (Audio CD)

With the incomprehensible number of recordings of Beethoven's Symphonies, Piano Sonatas, Piano Concertos, String Quartets, etc., etc., it is a joy when a recording emerges that so convincingly stands out above the rest. This release of the five Sonatas for Cello and Piano and the three sets of Variations (in other words, the "complete works for cello and piano"), with Cooke (cello) and Watkins (piano) is musically and technically, absolutely breathtaking (yes, I get goosebumps while listening to this). If you already have other versions of these works, you owe it to yourself to hear this recording. If you don't have this repertoire in your collection, this is the one to get. You won't be disappointed - neither would Beethoven!

2.0 out of 5 stars Competent, but not remotely competitive in a crowded discography., September 12, 2011

By 

William Kasimer (Eastern Massachusetts) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beethoven: Complete Works for Cello & Piano (Audio CD)

There are dozens of recordings of these work, many of which have considerable merit. This is not one of them. The playing is competent, but the cellist's tone is unattractive, and the performances strike me as dutiful and dull - no fire, no drama, no wit, no fun.

If you want great performances of these works, try Perenyi/Ranki, Perenyi/Schiff, Maisky/Argerich (Maisky's playing is only fair, but Argerich is fantastic, and the pianist is probably more important, particularly in the early works), Wispelwey/Lazic, Tortelier/Heidsieck or even the Casals/Serkin (despite Casals advanced age and resultant technical issues, no one could make music like he did). And if you want HIP, try Hakkila/Kartunnen on Warner, if it's still available - they play this music like their hair is on fire.

I'm probably forgetting something great. Fournier's first recordings with Schnabel are great, although the sound is limited; unfortunately, his later recordings with Gulda and Kempff aren't nearly as lively.