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Beethoven: The Sonatas for Piano and Cello album review
Paul Watkins/Alessio Bax Signum Classics Cellist Watkins’ career-long immersion in the composer pays dividends in his pairing with Alessio Bax’s unfussy virtuosity
TL;DR
- Paul Watkins, cellist for the Nash Ensemble and Emerson Quartet, recorded Beethoven's cello sonatas.
- He collaborated with pianist Alessio Bax, whom he approached after hearing his Moonlight Sonata performance.
- The recording features five sonatas, representing different stages of Beethoven's composing life.
- The early sonatas treat cello and keyboard as equal partners.
- Op. 69 is described as having a scherzo-like middle movement.
- The final pair of sonatas, especially No. 5, showcase Watkins's expressive range, including a full slow movement.
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