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   Home » Musical Discussions » Mendelssohn, Cello Sonata #2 (in D), Op 58 (3 posts, 1 page)
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10-11-2008 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Paul S
San Diego, California, USA
Posts 2,571
Joined on 10-12-2006

Post #: 1
Post ID: 8485
Reply to: 8485
Mendelssohn, Cello Sonata #2 (in D), Op 58
Lynn Harrell, cello; James Levine, piano.  RCA/Time-Life, 1978; stereo, STL561-2G

I am not familiar with Lynn Harrell, but I now aim to correct my lamentable oversight.

Here, both Harrell and Levine play individually and ensemble with great wit and charm.  Harrell's instrument is lovely, and with it he makes the most interesting texture I have ever heard from a cello, using the bow, of course, but also his fingering, his draw, per se, and, I imagine, his body on the instrument.  Early on, the work seems a tiny bit constrained, which I initially attributed to the cello itself being somewhat limited dynamically.  Later this proved not to be the case, and when Harrell does begin to belt it out it becomes immediately obvious that he has deliberately stayed within self-determined bounds up to that point.  Likewise, the early piano contra is primarily rhythmic, but it, too, loosens up as the piece is developed, and as the fluidity of the verse is developed.

I enjoy this type of music, which is a sort of large-scale parlor (or exhibition) piece of the sort often penned by the well-connected artists of the day, typically written for/dedicated to well-heeled courtiers who owned and/or patronized halls sufficient for the pieces in question.  Needless to say, Mendelssohn had entre, whither he would go.

Anyway, I highly recommend this piece.

I would appreciate info and/or tiips on Harrell, in particular, and also any tidbits about his cello.

Paul S
10-12-2008 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
Romy the Cat


Boston, MA
Posts 10,049
Joined on 05-28-2004

Post #: 2
Post ID: 8488
Reply to: 8485
Lynn Harrell is unquestionably....

Well, Lynn Harrell is unquestionably is in the pantheon of the greatest alive cellists, right along with Mischa Maisky, Yo Yo Ma, Natalia Gutman, Truls Mork, Maria Kliegel, Janos Starker (still alive? still playing?)  I think he is worth to peruse. Not all that he did was “great” (like with any other artists) but he has he “successes”. Make sure that you heard the Harrell’s play of the Victor Herbert’s Cello Concerto No. 2…

http://www.goodsoundclub.com/Forums/ShowPost.aspx?postID=5863

The Cat


"I wish I could score everything for horns." - Richard Wagner. "Our writing equipment takes part in the forming of our thoughts." - Friedrich Nietzsche
10-13-2008 Post does not mapped to Knowledge Tree
mats
Chicago
Posts 85
Joined on 09-18-2005

Post #: 3
Post ID: 8497
Reply to: 8488
Ophelie
Ophelie Gaillard has recorded a very good Bach set,
and her Britten recordings are also quite excellent.
WRT to her Bach, I find it somehow related to the
second Maisky in heartfulness and spirit.

Mats
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