Anne Gastinel, François-Frederic Guy - Beethoven: Cello Sonatas 1 & 3, Variations (2004)

The inevitable follow-up to Anne Gastinel and François-Frederic Guy's earlier recording of three of Beethoven's Sonatas for Cello and Piano is their recording of Beethoven's other two Sonatas plus his three sets of variations for cello and piano. Like their earlier recording, this disc by Gastinel and Guy is deeply individualistic and amazingly virtuosic. Gastinel has an expressive tone and a powerful technique, and Guy is a full partner and sympathetic accompanist. Together, their Beethoven First Sonata is deeply emotional and wonderfully exhilarating and their Third Sonata is warmly lyrical and wildly virtuosic. Their three sets of variations – an affectionate pair of Mozart variations and the brilliantly heroic Handel variations – are just as effective and just as impressive. While longtime listeners will cling to their Casals/Serkin and younger listeners will proclaim their Maisky/Argerich, fresh listeners will go for Gastinel and Guy's bravura style and incendiary technique. Naïve's July 2004 recording is close and immediate.

Track List:

Sonate En Fa Majeur | Sonata In Fa Major No. 1 Opus 5/1 (1796)
1. Adagio Sostenuto – Allegro – Adagio – Presto – Tempo Primo 16:04
2. Rondo: Allegro Vivace 6:19
12 Variations Sur | On „Ein Mädchen Oder Weibchen“ (Die Zauberflöte, K620 de | By Mozart) En Fa Majeur | In F Major Op.66 (1796)
3. Theme 0:27
4. Variation I 0:28
5. Variation II 0:27
6. Variation III 0:27
7. Variation IV 0:27
8. Variation V 0:27
9. Variation VI 0:26
10. Variation VII 0:34
11. Variation VIII 0:27
12. Variation IX 0:33
13. Variation X 1:06
14. Variation XI 0:52
15. Variation XII 1:44
12. Variations Sur | On ”See The Conqu'iring Hero Comes” (Judas Maccabaeus, HWV63 De | By Handel) En Sol Majeur | In G Major, WoO45 (1796)
16. Theme 0:38
17. Variation I 0:36
18. Variation II 0:36
19. Variation III 0:38
20. Variation IV 0:40
21. Variation V 0:41
22. Variation VI 0:37
23. Variation VII 0:33
24. Variation VIII 0:42
25. Variation IX 0:40
26. Variation X 0:41
27. Variation XI 3:01
28. Variation XII 0:58
7 Variations Sur | On „Bei Männern, Welche Liebe Fühlen“ (Die Zauberflöte, K620 De | By Mozart) En Mi Bémol Majeur | In E Flat Major, WoO46 (1801)
29. Theme 0:43
30. Variation I 0:37
31. Variation II 0:42
32. Variation III 0:56
33. Variation IV 1:02
34. Variation V 0:39
35. Variation VI 2:09
37. Variation VII 1:46
Sonate En La Majeur | Sonata In A Majeur No, 3 Opus 69 (1807-1808)
37. Allegro Ma Non Tanto 11:53
38. Scherzo: Allegro Molto 5:13
39. Adagio Cantabile 1:24
40. Allegro Vivace 6:31

Performers:
Anne Gastinel, cello
François-Frederic Guy, piano