Chopin: Cello Sonata; Schubert: Arpeggione Sonata

Cellists have cause to be thankful for the impracticality and swift demise of the arpeggione, which allowed the appropriation of Schubert’s wonderful sonata for their own instrument. Dénes Várjon’s 1851 Érard lends characterful zest both here and in Chopin, while bonuses include Steven Isserlis’s own transcriptions of songs by both composers.

CDA68227  77 minutes 15 seconds
‘Even among Isserlis’s many fine discs, this one stands out. And if you still need convincing that the Chopin Cello Sonata is a total masterpiece, this is the recording to do it’ (Gramophone)
BBC Music Magazine
‘In the hands of Steven Isserlis and pianist Dénes Várjon Chopin’s Sonata seems to make perfect sense … Várjon is playing an 1851 Érard with less sustain than a modern concert grand and it frames ...