Passion aplenty in these high-Romantic sonatas
The Strad Issue: March 2026
Description: Passion aplenty in these high-Romantic sonatas
Musicians: Matilda Colliard (cello) Stefano Ligoratti (piano)
Works: Rubinstein: Cello Sonatas nos.1 and 2
Catalogue number: BRILLIANT CLASSICS 97641
In Anton Rubinstein’s First Sonata cellist Matilda Colliard and Stefano Ligoratti give a heroic and passionate account of the opening movement, reflected in uninhibited rubato and colourful phrasing in which notes suddenly punch to fore.
Towards the end is a cadenza in which the tempo markings are somewhat loosely observed. In the Allegretto a lilting 6/8 melody floats along in the manner of a barcarolle, interrupted by an animated central section.
In the final Allegro molto, Colliard adds a couple of chords and clips away energetically against frequently scurrying piano arpeggios, all dispatched with great energy.
The duo shapes the gracious first movement of the Second Sonata with genial and mellifluous playing, and more expressive rubato. The second-movement Allegro con moto, effectively a scherzo/minuet, is jittery, and the central section has an attractive, flowing naivety. After a rich-toned opening melody in the Andante, a busy semiquaver section in the piano leads to dignified grandeur.
The two musicians develop the last-movement Allegro neatly from its will-o’-the-wisp opening into colour and drama, underpinned by constant melodic sensitivity. The recorded sound is generally balanced and warm, although the cello occasionally sounds a little distant.
TIM HOMFRAY
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