Chopin: Polonaise brillante for Cello & Piano, Cello Sonata, Piano Trio, Polonaise brillante for Piano

Chopin’s small output of chamber works may not quite have managed to rise to the level of standard repertoire, and to be honest I can, to an extent, understand why. Don’t get me wrong; these are exquisitely crafted, melodic works, but compared to his output for solo piano they are somewhat anonymous – neither the piano trio nor the cello sonata are particularly recognizably Chopin (apart from a few touches here and there). The piano trio is, of course, a relatively early work – it was completed in 1829 – and though it contains its fair share of drama, the overall tone is melancholic (apart from the rather joyous ending). Though there are many appealing ideas, it also suggests that Chopin was, at the time, not entirely comfortable with writing for the strings. Now, the performers here play everything for what it is worth, at least, and they achieve impressive results; it may, perhaps, be possible to argue that they sometimes even overdo things – Ma’s cello is in particular perhaps a bit too dark, dramatic and “late romantic” in character for this kind of music – yet if there is anything anonymous about the music (there is) they at least do their best to hide it.The cello sonata is probably the greater work. Dating from 1846 it was also, in fact, the last work Chopin published in his lifetime. It is clearly the work of a mature, assured composer, but once again the contents are not particularly typical of the composer. Still, it is an impressive work, tautly constructed and overall convincingly argued, with elements presented in the first movement (which itself unfolds naturally from the cello’s opening gestures) reappearing throughout. Contrary to some, I do not really view it as a masterpiece, yet once again I find the performances impressive. The Polonaise brillante is, on the other hand, immediately recognizable as Chopin, though I have to admit that I am more convinced by the solo piano version than the version for cello and piano (by the way, the employ Emanuel Feuermann’s version of the cello part). Overall, this is a recommended disc, and the sound is very good, though it hardly contains the greatest music Chopin ever wrote.

EMANUEL, YO-YO-MA & PAMELA TRIOS ARE OUTSTANDING, VERY PRETTY CHAMBER CHOPIN! Charles

Most composers of the 19th century wrote music for the many genres: symphony, concerto, chamber, songs, opera, church and solo piano. Yet, Chopin is known almost exclusively for solo piano as the vast majority of his compostions were for the piano exclusively. Maybe one shouldn't be critical of this fact as the dozens of compositions he crafted are among the most timeless, faultless and deeply satisfying musical utterances we have.The pieces on this CD are just about all the chamber output of Chopin. Given his preference for the salon versus large concert hall, you would think Chopin would have written more. But, as in nearly every composition he wrote, these pieces are equisitely crafted and are well worth any Chopin or chamber music lover.Also hard to critique are the three superlative musicians here performing. Yo Yo Ma's cello is always a delight to behold and finds the right romantic flavors in these pieces. He is well teamed with Emaunel Ax - a pianist not known for great pyro-technics or Liszt-like flair but just good-old, solid, satisfying, poised Chopin pianism. Last, violinist Pamela Frank is a master of her craft and always turns in lovely, thoughtful and deeply wrought performances. The balance of the three is ideal and blend harmoniously to illuminate these marvelous pieces - which are not very widely know but should be more. The final Polonaise Brilliante for piano by Eva Osinska is an extra treat to behold with an interesting history explained in the liner notes.The Sony sound quality is quite good with nothing to fault. A great disc to listen to often. Compositions - 4 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound - 5 stars.

There is very little Chopin music that I do not like. The sound quality and clarity of tone is exceptional, and I really enjoyed the music. Thank you. Marilyn Pardine

'Jankiewicz" well that is Polish. I guess I am a little biased but we have a composer who is Polish, a pianist who is Polish and a listener who is Polish. OOps I forgot the cellist. Not Polish but definately good. I have Mr. Axe's perfomances of the Chopin piano concerti with period ensemble and that lead me to these recordings. Not period ensemble but a pleasure to listen to none-the-less. Now we know Ma can play baroque cello so what could he do here?

The recording of Chopin's works is excellent. That is to say the musicians bring a wonderful energy and depth to the pieces. It's just that my favorite composer, Frederic, seems almost awkward in the creation of these sonatas, both piano and cello. Each has a kind of shallow quality not found in the composer's brilliant ballads, scherzos, short piano pieces and concerti. Still, his sonatas, remain far more substantial, in my mind, than the ponderous "sturm und drang" chamber music of Brahms and the "ride 'em cowboy, 19th Century Dvorak. However, chamber music remains magical in the canons of Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Debussy, whose late and delicately magnificent chamber music seems almost too good for people.

You never know when you are at the end of things, consequently you never know how the arc of your creative efforts will be discussed. This is Late Chopin. There are beautiful themes. Complicated piano themes and variations and beautiful cello playing. If you like Chopin and who doesn't - this album will not disappoint.

I love this polonaise, there is not a lot of several instruments' music by Chopin.

These are bright, lively performances, with a nice mix of some more and less familiar music by Chopin (not all for the piano). You might be able to find superior individual versions of the works, but played as a "concert" this CD works well. At a modest price, this album can be recommended to those looking for a Chopin starter, and those wishing to extend their collection.

Excellent staff, thank you.

This is probably one of the best CDs I have bought and I can't stop listening to it. Heard a bit of the trio on the radio which was why I wanted it but the whole CD is fantastic.

殆どがピアノ曲であるショパンの作品の中で数少ないチェロを中心とする室内楽が集められてた貴重な録音である。全曲を通し、ショパンがメロディー中心の作曲家であることを実感させられる。二つまたは三つの楽器が音楽をのびのびと豊かに歌わせる素晴らしい演奏が集められた優れたCDである。ピアノ三重奏曲はヴァイオリンとチェロの旋律の絡み合いの上に、ピアノの煌くような音色が散りばめられる作曲法が多用されていて印象深い。ショパンが弦楽器の曲を書けばメロディーが湧き出て尽きることがない。三人が心から音楽を歌わせる感銘深い音楽を作り出している。本来、リズミカルな曲であるスケルツォまでもが旋律的である。ピアノ三重奏の書法の一つである楽器間の競演は第四楽章で漸く現れる。とりわけ、ヨーヨーマの歌心に満ちたチェロが際立った演奏である。序奏と華麗なるポロネーズは超絶技巧を使った真のフォイアマン編曲版であり、表情豊かでしなやかな旋律の歌わせ方、細かいパッセージ、高音域フラジオレットのテクニックが驚異的である。本家フォイアマンに次ぐ稀有の名演と言える（録音が断然良い）。なによりも、ヨーヨーマが音楽に乗って活き活きと思う存分に演奏を楽しんでいるのが直に伝わってくる。（注）ピアノ独奏版が最後に入っているが、この演奏と比較するためと思われる。チェロソナタは深みのあるチェロの特質を活かした内省的な作品であり、時には情熱的に時にはしみじみと楽器を歌わせる。チェロの持つスケールの大きさと表現力の豊かさを鮮やかに引き出している。この曲も全楽章とも良く歌っているが、短いながらも静かな第三楽章の内面的な深みが第四楽章の熱気を際立たせていて素晴らしい。30代半ばのヨーヨーマの実力を見事に打ち出した名盤と言える。