Though it was in fact originally published as a sonata for violin and piano (for the great Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe), the Franck A major Sonata began its conception as a cello sonata and was subsequently published in a version for cello and piano within Franck's lifetime. Nowadays, the sonata is performed with equal frequency and success by both instruments. The original cello version, transcribed by Jules Delsart, is by far the most commonly used; this Musicaphon album, however, features a "new" transcription by ...
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Though it was in fact originally published as a sonata for violin and piano (for the great Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe), the Franck A major Sonata began its conception as a cello sonata and was subsequently published in a version for cello and piano within Franck's lifetime. Nowadays, the sonata is performed with equal frequency and success by both instruments. The original cello version, transcribed by Jules Delsart, is by far the most commonly used; this Musicaphon album, however, features a "new" transcription by cellist Martin Rummel. Truth be told, there are very few changes to the original, and those that do exist are primarily changes in octave that usually succeed only in making the cello sound more strained. Apart from this, Rummel's performance with pianist Elizabeth Hopkins is unremarkable. Technical aspects are solid but not flawless, and musically nothing new or noteworthy is offered to entice listeners to choose this recording over the countless quality interpretations already on the...
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