The Franck is a transcription of his well-known violin sonata, and while the cello version brings richer, darker timbres, it loses the sense of unaffected freshness communicated by the violin’s lighter, sweeter tone–especially in the beautiful, winsome melody that opens the work. That said, Stephen Isserlis gives a deeply felt and warmly affectionate reading, abetted by Stephen Hough’s sensitive pianism. Framing the sonata are soprano Rebecca Evans’ touching renditions of Franck’s Panis Angelicus and Le Sylphe.
Rachmaninov’s cello sonata uses the instrument’s robust sonorities to express his peculiar type of brooding melancholy, already apparent in this early work. Isserlis captures this element wonderfully but he also projects the dynamic passion that breathes throughout the score, particularly in the emotionally intense first movement. Two even earlier Rachmaninov works, the spicy Prelude and the exotic Oriental Dance, constitute a welcome bonus that nicely fills out the disc. Hyperion’s recording features just balances and warm, natural presence for cello and piano. This is an enjoyable collection for cello aficionados–but listeners new to the Franck really should begin with the original violin version.
