Album

A student of Casals, among others, cellist Esther Nyffenegger went on to win numerous awards throughout Europe, began teaching (most notably at a post at the Tokyo University of Fine Arts), and produced several recordings. This Divox two-disc set makes up a 2004 reissue of Nyffenegger's 1975 complete Beethoven cycle with pianist Gerard Wyss. Nyffenegger's playing can be described as carefree and spontaneous, attributes that can work with Beethoven to be sure. From the grandeur of the A major Sonata to the urgent insistence of the G minor Sonata, Nyffenegger captures the mood and character of Beethoven's writing. That same spontaneity can be a drawback, as well; intonation is not as spotless as it could or should be, some shifts are a bit careless, and tone production is not always consistent across the range of the instrument and from string to string. Although digitally remastered from the 1975 originals, the overall sound quality is somewhat flat and dull, particularly in the middle and lower range of the piano. All of this makes for a set that may be interesting historically, or for followers of Nyffenegger's playing, but is not a great choice for listeners who are just looking for their first, authoritative performances of these magnificent sonatas.

© Mike D. Brownell, Rovi

CD 1 of 2
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Cello Sonata in F, Op.5, No.1 Work 45:09 Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
1	1.Adagio sostenuto (attaca); Allegro	13:54			$2.49
2	2.Rondo: Allegro vivace	6:46			$0.99
3	1a.Adagio sostenuto (attaca)	5:49			$0.99
4	1b.Allegro; 1c.Adagio. Presto	9:39			$1.49
5	2.Rondo: Allegro vivace	9:01			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Cello Sonata No.3 in A, Op.69 Work 27:29 Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
6	1.Allegro ma non tanto	13:09			$2.49
7	2.Scherzo: Allegro molto	5:28			$0.99
8	3.Adagio cantabile; 4.Allegro vivace	8:52			$1.49
CD 2 of 2
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Cello Sonata No.4 in C, Op.102, No.1 Work 15:26 Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
1	1.Andante (attaca); 2.Allegro vivace	8:16			$1.49
2	3.Adagio. Tempo d'andante (attaca); 4.Allegro con brio	7:10			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer Cello Sonata No.5 in D, Op.102, No.2 Work 19:43 Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
3	1.Allegro con brio	6:43			$0.99
4	2.Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto; 3.Allegro. Allegro fugato	13:00			$2.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 7 Variations in Eb on a Theme from the Magic Flute, for cello and piano, WoO46 Work Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
5	7 Variations in Eb on a Theme from the Magic Flute, for cello and piano, WoO46	9:32			$1.49
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Variations in G on a Theme by Handel, for cello and piano, WoO45 Work Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
6	12 Variations in G on a Theme by Handel, for cello and piano, WoO45	12:30			$1.99
Ludwig van Beethoven Composer 12 Variations in F on a Theme from the Magic Flute, for cello and piano, Op.66 Work Gerard Wyss Piano, Esther Nyffenegger Cello
7	12 Variations in F on a Theme from the Magic Flute, for cello and piano, Op.66	9:50			$1.49