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Britsh Cello Works Volume 2
£14.99
In stock
Catalogue Number
SRCD412
In her A minor Sonata, Op.5, as in her earlier Sonata in C minor for cello and piano (1880), Ethel Smyth favours expressivity over virtuosity, emphasising the cello’s warm and lyrical tone. The piano enjoys a key role in all three movements and is often invited to present the chief subject matter rather than merely playing a supporting role accompanying the cello line.
One of Delius’s most satisfying chamber works, the Cello Sonata is distinguished by the expressive power of its material. Both instruments enter at the same time, the cello unfolding a songlike, long-limbed line, while the piano presents the main idea. A second key theme, introduced by the cello over the piano’s rippling, arpeggiated chords, is more forthright and sharply defined.
An unattributed review of Gibbs’s Cello Sonata in E published in The Musical Times in 1953, found it to be ‘an ideal piece of work for cellists who want something contemporary on which to develop their technique, for its difficulties are of the sort which repays practice’. Thanks to this recording of the work more than seventy years after its completion, contemporary listeners now have an opportunity to appreciate its melodic strength, understated formal artistry and grateful writing for both instruments.
Britten’s Cello Sonata is a challenging, bravura piece that benefits immeasurably from the natural affinity between composer and cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. The relationship would inspire Britten to produce four more major works for Rostropovich who wrote of the work, ‘This is a sonata full of surprises, innovations for any cellist, gifts for the musician flowing freely from the horn of plenty. We meet not merely a novelty in finger-work but, what is most important, a new kind of expressive and profound dramatic composition.’ Paul Conway
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
“Cellist Lionel Handy and pianist Jennifer Walsh have brought these interesting British works to our attention in a new CD released on the label Lyrita on February 3rd, 2023. It follows their previous release of British Works volume I… British Cello Works-volume 2 is a welcome addition to the oeuvre. The two longer works, the Smyth and Britten, bookending the album in a satisfying way, showcase uncommon but noteworthy repertoire for the cello.” Janet Horvath, interlude.hk [read complete review]
"The latest volume in Lyrita’s series of British cello works looks set to rival the Watkins brothers’ Chandos edition... Handy… revisits Ethel Smyth’s Leipzig and post-Leipzig penchant for chamber-scaled works in her 1887 Sonata in A minor…It’s an expert three movement work… its most persuasive in the central slow movement where a veiled expressive tension gives it a certain quiet distinction...
Delius’ Sonata can take a variety of approaches... the consensus however is a faster tempo and I like the Handy-Hughes approach – which turns out to be the same tempo as the Watkins Bros took – for its fluidity, flexibility, rapport and fine turns of phrase…
Armstrong Gibbs’s sonata dates from 1951. It has attractive themes and a certain Delian ease of utterance but more in the way of structural rigour. The slow movement is based on his attractive 1927 song ‘Resting’ – Gibbs is clearly best known as a song composer – and the finale is a confident, clean cut and open air one marked ‘Broadly’. I’ve not come across another recording of this sonata which makes it the more attractive for lovers of British music. In any case it’s played with real commitment and elegance…The final piece is Britten’s Sonata in C of 1961… Handy and Hughes adopt a series of tempos that accord and align closely with that famous Decca LP recording…This is a well characterised reading, committed, and generating impressive intensity in the Elegia in particular, though the Russian-sounding fourth movement dance is also attractively done…The Smyth sonata is rare to find and the Gibbs exceptionally so, which gives this disc cachet, as does the recorded sound, notes and good performances. Full review here
Jonathan Woolf
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Sonata in A minor for cello and piano, Op. 5: III. Allegro vivace e grazioso
Sonata in E minor for cello and piano, Op. 132: II. Lento, molto cantabile. 'Resting'
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0.135 kg