Myaskovsky/Carter/Poulenc
Cello Sonatas
Lowri Blake (cello) with Iwan
Llewelyn-Jones (piano)
Lowri Records Lowri 2002
65'17"
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Three sonatas composed in 1948 makes for a very satisfying programme, which
I played straight through with mounting pleasure and satisfaction. Least
known probably is that written for Rostropovich by Nikolay Myaskovsky (Miaskovsky
in the R.E.D. catalogue - alternative English spellings of Russian &
Indian names can cause problems!). It is the most conservative of the three,
with a first movement which perhaps outstays its welcome at 8'35", but it
establishes the relaxed style of this experienced duo, who are perfectly
attuned and expertly balanced, both in their playing and by engineer John
Taylor, in the grateful acoustic of St George's, Brandon Hill, Bristol (used
for many BBC broadcasts).
Lowri Blake (who also sings contemporary music and cabaret) is no
mean writer as well - her notes are exemplary, discussing the three
'conversational types' of her three composers. She characterises Poulenc
as a boulevard café chatterer and recalls his legendary partnership
with Bernac (I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing them together in the
equally legendary wartime National Gallery concerts). This late sonata which,
I agree, is still too little known, has its dark undertones - Poulenc was
a depressive as well as a clown.
The Carter is relatively early in this still very active 90-year old's oeuvre,
and I confess to enjoying it more than some of the more radical works of
the 60s & 70s. Blake tells us that it was Elliott Carter's last work
to have a key signature, which signifies; there is plenty to get hold of
and I think it is still one of his most accessible and effective works, with
the rhythmic complexity and verve which is his hallmark. I have heard more
strenuous and exciting performances, memorably by Frances-Marie Uitti and
Ursula Oppens in Amsterdam, but this slightly cooler, urbane approach is
possibly more apt for a composer who is essentially a thinker who does not
wear his heart onhis sleeve.
The economical, slender packaging is attractively designed and printed on
a single folded sheet of card; the only snag is that it might disappear on
your shelves!
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
See also
Song of the Black Swan (Lowri Blake with Hugh Webb, harp)
LOWRI
2001 Elgar/Bridge (Lowri
Blake with Iwan Llewelyn-Jones)
LOWRI 2000
Lowri Blake's website is:
www.lowrirecords.com
