Album

It is no longer enough for cellists to record Brahms' two canonical sonatas; now they must record other works that fall into the sonatas' orbit. Some cellists include a transcription of the G major Violin Sonata, some include a transcription of one or both clarinet/viola sonatas, and some include works by Brahms' contemporaries. That is the path chosen by the young German cello and piano team of Johannes Moser and Paul Rivinius: in this first volume of Brahms and his Contemporaries, they have programmed the master's Sonata in F major, Op. 99, along with Robert Fuchs' Sonata in E flat minor, Op. 83, and the world-premiere recording of Alexander von Zemlinsky's Sonata in A minor. The program works wonderfully. Moser has a strong but sensitive tone while Rivinius has a big sound but a fine sense of balance, and together they make a compelling case for Brahms' big-hearted sonata and convincing cases for his contemporaries' sonatas. Fuchs' work is well-composed, but a bit by-the-numbers, and memorably melodic, but a tad sentimental; Zemlinsky's work is less well-composed but very direct, very expressive, and very, very emotional. Hänssler Classics' digital sound is a trifle distant, but still clear and quite warm. Listeners who love Brahms, who like Fuchs, or who admire Zemlinsky should check out this disc.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Johannes Brahms Composer Cello Sonata No.2 in F, Op.99 Work 27:57 Johannes Moser Cello, Paul Rivinius Piano
1	1.Allegro vivace	8:57			$1.49
2	2.Adagio affettuoso	7:30			$1.49
3	2.Adagio affettuoso	7:02			$1.49
4	4.Allegro molto	4:28			$0.99
Robert Fuchs Composer Cello Sonata in Eb-, Op.83 Work 20:03 Johannes Moser Cello, Paul Rivinius Piano
5	1.Allegro moderato assai	8:54			$1.49
6	2.Adagio con sentimento	6:00			$0.99
7	3.Allegro vivace	5:09			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer Cello Sonata in A- Work 26:07 Johannes Moser Cello, Paul Rivinius Piano
8	Mit Leidenschaft	10:44			$1.99
9	Andante	7:34			$1.49
10	Allegretto	7:49			$1.49