Brahms: Violin Sonata No. 3; Viola Sonata No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Cello Sonata

A jewel!

This is a wonderful recording! For me the real treat is the Rachmaninoff
sonata, with its great clarity, structural integrity, emotional impact, beauty of sound, and coherent ensemble playing. One can only wish that Edmund Kurtz left us more recordings in a soloist capacity; his performance is one for the ages. October 15, 2008

A remarkable musical finding

It is well known the visible deference of Kapell for the romantic repertoire, but his approach to the chamber music have become solid evidences around the integral concept about a granitic pianist must be. The chamber music genre allows even to sustain a major growing up process of the keyboardist through the exploration not only about an immense number of fundamental works, but at the same time an overall understanding of the soul of a determined composer.

Rachmaninoff `s Sonata Op. 19 is a piece that denotes that romantic vein so typical of the Russian composer. In fact, you may distinguish at the end of the first movement those far echoes that feature his most famous piano concertos (2 and 3); this sonata not only combines the ferocious of the Siberian steppes; besides nobody like him knew to remark the passion and nostalgia a la ruse, in which the noblesse affirmation and dark poetry shake hands.

In the case of Johannes Brahms, it results much more than evident, since it's hardly to affirm you love Brahms music if you don't know his essential contributions for this genre in which he felt absolutely comfortable, free of the social pressure every time his Orchestral pieces were confronted with Beethoven, because of the fact he was considered as his legitimate musical heir.

The Viola Sonata Op. 120 is one of the most reminded and even emblematic pieces of the reduced repertoire for this instrument. Expressiveness, prodigal musicality and affected lyricism are the primordial features of this distinguished work, which I have always considered a very personal heartfelt homage in memory of his missed friend: Robert Schumann.

Among the set of Violin Sonatas, the Op. 108 No. 3 seems to have reached major splendor than the rest; because of his solid formal construction and consummated richness of musical ideas. Have you ever listened before such virile treatment of the First and Fourth movement impregnated of such mercurial intensity and dramatic force?. (In case you find out it, please be my guest). One of the legendary artistic peaks of Jasha Heifetz and William Kapell in their respective careers.

This volume is a fundamental CD to approach an intimate Kapell far from the Orchestral expansive sounds that allows to get even closer to his overwhelming talent and outstanding expression. The edition sound process was simply memorable.

Fine performances from a legendary pianist who will never be forgotten.

July 10, 2006

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