Sergei RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)
Sonata for cello and piano in G minor, Op.19 [34.51]
Danse orientale, Op.2/2 [4.29]
Lied (1890) [2.07]
Études-Tableaux, Op.39 [35.44]
Steven Doane (cello), Barry Snyder (piano)
rec. Eastman Theatre, Eastman School of Music, August 1996
BRIDGE 9347 [79.11]
There are remarkably few recordings of Rachmaninov’s complete works
for cello and piano, but of necessity these have to include a number of arrangements
of various piano pieces and the ubiquitous Vocalise to make up the
duration of a CD. What we have here instead is a complete recording of the
second set of Études-Tableaux, but this necessitates the omission
of the first of the two pieces for cello and piano, Op.2, which were actually
conceived by the composer for that combination. The recordings, we are told
in a booklet note by the producer, languished unpublished for twelve years
“for various reasons” - was it perhaps because of the rather unusual
manner in which the disc had been programmed?
As it happens Barry Snyder gives a very good performance indeed of the piano
cycle, which is all the more astonishing when the booklet informs us that
the recording is from one complete take only, with just a couple of patches
to cover studio noises. But again one is mystified by the reasoning behind
giving us just one of the two sets of Études-Tableaux. Nearly
all other recordings of the cycle give us both this group and the earlier
Op.33 set, which make a logical pairing and is surely is the way that most
listeners will want to approach the music.
If you want the complete works by Rachmaninov for cello and piano,
there are a number of alternative choices in the catalogue, of which that
by Lynn Harrell and Vladimir Ashkenazy on Decca is more or less self-recommending.
Steven Doane and Barry Snyder are quite slow in the opening movement of the
Cello Sonata (they are nearly two minutes longer than Harrell and Ashkenazy),
but they hold the music together well and are convincingly romantic.
The excellent booklet notes by Malcolm MacDonald are extensive and informative.
If you want this coupling, then you will be highly satisfied with the performances
and recording; but I must admit the logic of the pieces included here escapes
me.
Paul Corfield Godfrey
If you want this coupling then you will be highly satisfied but the logic
of the pieces included here escapes me.
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