SHOSTAKOVICH: Cello Concertos; Cello Sonata; Viola Sonata; Adagio / Cello Concertos / Cello Sonata; Viola Sonata / Cello Sonata; 8 Pieces; SCHNITTKE: Cello Sonata 1; Oleg Kagan Madrigal; Klingende Buchstaben

Abstract

Now we move across the pond and down to Mexico to hear [Carlos Prieto] and [Doris Stevenson] play the two sonatas, with Op. 147 in Prieto's own transcription. Under his fingers, Op. 40 seems rather arbitrary, with tempos just a little too slow for expression in parts of the first movement. I'm not happy with some of the notes in the helter-skelter segments of the finale, also. The first movement of Op. 147 also feels lacking in expression, for the sake of maintaining a steady tempo.