Top 10 Favorite Cello Sonatas

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Too plinky plonky.

Hmmm...that's an interesting take. For me, it's one of my favorite instruments. The harmonic/melodic capabilities are simply incredible and, in the right hands, it really can be a life-changing experience.

[foxandpeng]

Hmmm...that's an interesting take. For me, it's one of my favorite instruments. The harmonic/melodic capabilities are simply incredible and, in the right hands, it really can be a life-changing experience.

Predictably, Rach 2 and 3, are doable. And Henze's PC 2. There must be so much I am missing out of stubbornness.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Predictably, Rach 2 and 3, are doable. And Henze's PC 2. There must be so much I am missing out of stubbornness.

Yeah, there's so much incredible piano literature out there that it really will make one's head spin. But I've got to ask of you, please give a listen to this slow movement from Braunfel's Piano Concerto:

This particular Adagio is so emotionally moving for me and I hope it touches you as well.

[Mandryka]

Sonatas remain an unexplored mystery for me, as pianos seem to occupy a large element in so many. My ignorance, no doubt.

Here's one with your name written all over it

[foxandpeng]

Here's one with your name written all over it

I shall enter in with interest!

[Kalevala]

Kodaly's Sonata for Solo Cello is probably my favorite.

K

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

@foxandpeng this also has your name written all over it, which I happen to like more than the Ravel:

[Mandryka]

I shall enter in with interest!

It's rainin' cello sonatas without a piano. Gubaidulina's Rejoice

[kyjo]

Strange, but I think the only cello sonata I care about at the moment is the Koechlin.

Sounds like someone needs to listen to more cello sonatas! The Koechlin sonata is a fine, compact work in his typically singular, otherworldly style. It would make a nice substitute on recital programs for the ubiquitous Debussy Sonata, which is a similar length.

[kyjo]

Just listened to this new disc;



I can't say that previously the 3 Bax "sonatas" (inverted commas because one is a sonatina and another a legend-sonata) have struck me that strongly but I really enjoyed all three here.  Not making any "masterpiece" claims but certainly typical of the composer and well worth hearing.

Agreed - the cello sonatas aren't quite top-drawer Bax but they should be heard by enthusiasts of the composer and the cello (there are far more of the former category on this forum, it seems ). The Legend-Sonata has a particularly wonderful, almost Rachmaninoffian tune in the last movement!

[kyjo]

Too plinky plonky.

To each their own, but I'm sure glad I don't have an aversion to the piano as an instrument! There's so much wonderful repertoire written for it, from concerti to solo works, and scores of chamber duos/trios/quartets/quintets etc. I also love the color it provides as an orchestral instrument!

[kyjo]

Ginastera
Sallinen
Ornstein 1
Hindemith op. 11-3
Martinu 2
Beethoven op. 5-2
Saint-Saëns 2
Schnittke 1
Herzogenberg 1
Grieg

Honorable mentions

Kabelac
Enescu 1
Tcherepnin 1
Casella 2
Röntgen 2

Excellent choices all! I don't believe I've ever heard Sallinen's sonata, actually; though I do know his Cello Concerto which is superb. Regarding Saint-Saëns, I would opt for his stormy, dramatic 1st cello sonata over his 2nd. The 2nd is an interesting work from a structural point of view (especially the scherzo which doubles as a theme-and-variations, a feature also employed by Taneyev in his Piano Trio), but I find it to be one of his weaker works melodically. (Yeah, I know I need to stop making melody the prime consideration in my enjoyment of a work. ) Of course, it's still by Saint-Saëns who's one of my favorite composers, so I still enjoy it well enough.

[kyjo]

Today's picks --- no particular order:

Debussy: Cello Sonata
Shostakovich: Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40
Brahms: Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99
Carter: Cello Sonata
Britten: Cello Sonata, Op. 65
Enescu: Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 26/2
Fauré: Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 117
Barber: Cello Sonata, Op. 6
Rachmaninov: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 19
Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65

A fine list, John! I would've definitely included Britten, Chopin, and Fauré sonatas had I extended my list to 25. The Carter is certainly one of my favorite works of his - being an earlier work it's certainly more approachable than his later stuff, but it's still thoroughly individual and cerebral (in a good way). The Enescu will take a few more listens for me to fully assimilate, but I can attest that it's a prime product of his mysterious, complex, and often elusive mature style.

[Mandryka]

Sounds like someone needs to listen to more cello sonatas! The Koechlin sonata is a fine, compact work in his typically singular, otherworldly style. It would make a nice substitute on recital programs for the ubiquitous Debussy Sonata, which is a similar length.

I remember hearing Sol Gabetta play the second Mendelssohn sonata with Bertrand Chamayou - I thought it was excellent.

[Kalevala]

Predictably, Rach 2 and 3, are doable. And Henze's PC 2. There must be so much I am missing out of stubbornness.

Take a deep breath and reconsider the piano.  You can do it...little by little.  Debussy?  Chopin?  Mozart? 

K

[foxandpeng]

Take a deep breath and reconsider the piano.  You can do it...little by little.  Debussy?  Chopin?  Mozart? 

K

None of the above 🙂

[Kalevala]

None of the above 🙂

Ravel, Satie, Rach or Prokofiev?

K

[foxandpeng]

Ravel, Satie, Rach or Prokofiev?

K

Again, only the Rach 2 and 3. After 30 years, I'm probably not going to change preference too much, I think 🙂

[foxandpeng]

Here's one with your name written all over it

You are a naughty boy.

[foxandpeng]

@foxandpeng this also has your name written all over it, which I happen to like more than the Ravel:

This is much better, of course.