The Wigmore Hall Recital Schubert/Mendelssohn/Brahms: Works For Cello

Maria Joao Pires turns 70 this month, but she seems musically in better shape than ever. Her ripe musicianship and keen insight in the graceful classical and early romantic repertories make her appearances before public true benchmarks in the recent seasons worldwide. Not only as soloist with orchestra or solo recitalist, but also as chamber music partner, Maria Joao Pires delivers artistic jewelleries. On this recording made live at the Wigmore Hall in London she pairs the refined Brazilian cellis Antonio Meneses in a seductive programme. They open the proceedings with a Viennese gem, namely the “Arpeggione” Sonata by Schubert, then they turn to Brahms profound and dramatic Cello Sonata no.1. In between, Maria Joao Pires offers an immensely romantic episode by playing Brahms’s Three Intermezzi op.117. How delicate the filigree she conceives throughout the pieces. How melancholic the touché ! Meneses, in the works where the cello is involved as well, pours all his melodious artistry. How warm could be the tone of his instrument!All in all, this chamber recital (recorded in London, January 2012) is a marvellous opportunity for music lovers to enjoy an hour and so of musical enchantment.

I can't write with authority about classical music (but I know what I like) and this recital, which I discovered reading several articles on stereophile.com, is one of my favorite recordings of any kind. Breathtaking, understated musicianship. The playing, the sound quality, loveliness of the program. Readers who know this disc, feel free to recommend other things to me.

This CD is a treasure! The recorded sound places the artists right in your room with superb spatial and sonic placement. The music is a superb panoply of warm and quality musicianship. DO NOT PASS THIS BY! It is also rated one of the top AUDIOPHILE CDs!

Maria João Pires & Antonio Menezes are great musicians. This recital is clearly an outstanding event for chamber music lovers.

Excellent performance and sound Buy it

My greatest enjoyment from Maria Joao Pires seems to come from her playing in chamber music, and this 2012 recital at London's Wigmore Hall is no exception. She has made lovely duo recordings with violinist Augustin Dumay for DG, and here her partner is the equally masterful Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses, The program, ranging from Bach to Brahms, is played with poise and finesse. Meneses' tone is honeyed and always beautiful; not for him the emotional struggles of DuPre or the technically overpowering style of Rostropovich. But this isn't to imply that Pires and he are coasting; their phrasing, balance, and obvious enjoyment are a delight.Since this Cd is likely to be self-recommending to Pires's fans, I'll ust list the program and note that DG's recorded sound is splendid and realistic, bringing us very close to the soloists and their cultivated music-making. It's nice to see that the yellow label is being loyal to Pires in the kind of intimate partnerships that bring out the best in her.Bach, J S:Pastorale in F major, BWV590Brahms:Intermezzi (3), Op. 117Cello Sonata No. 1 In E Minor, Op. 38Mendelssohn:Song without Words for Cello & Piano, Op. 109Schubert:Sonata in A minor 'Arpeggione', D821

This one took me by surprise -- I thought that the Wigmore Hall was producing recordings of its own concerts exclusively, but here is DGG with a recording of this concert, with no audience noise distractions and great sound, beautifully balanced between Pires's piano and Meneses's cello. I loved it all, but I was especially struck by Pires's account of the Op.117 Brahms Intermezzi, the second item on the disc. I don't associate her with Brahms, but she gives lucid accounts of these three rather grave pieces, and gives each its due in terms of shaping and color. Nothing too heavy, with pedaling discreet, and with a tonal palette appropriate to each -- just beautiful! The big pieces are the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata and the first of Brahms's two cello sonatas. This is the loveliest sounding version of the Brahms I've heard, with better tone and balance than the otherwise fine Ma/Ax version on RCA. It's more gemutlich than the very fine Kovacevich/Harrell EMI account, which is a bit more fiery at the close, but the sound here is much mellower. Meneses is a cellist I hadn't heard -- I had heard and enjoyed Pires's Mozart -- and I was particularly impressed by his ability to integrate his sound through all registers. Even if you have other versions of the main items here, I strongly recommend this.

Everything Maria Joao Pires turns her hands to becomes elevated and infused with beauty - these works are no exception

かつてのモーツアルト、シォパンはよかったが、ブラームスは珍しいと思うのだが、いいのでは。