French Cello Sonatas David Berlin

• Frédéric Chopin (1810 - 1849): Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65:
• 1 Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65: 1. Allegro moderato 16:19
• 2 Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65: 2. Scherzo 05:08
• 3 Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65: 3. Largo 03:35
• 4 Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 65: 4. Finale. Allegro 06:17
• Louise Farrenc (1804 - 1875): Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 46:
• 5 Louise Farrenc: Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 46: I. Allegro moderato 09:15
• 6 Louise Farrenc: Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 46: II. Andante sostenuto 05:32
• 7 Louise Farrenc: Cello Sonata in B-Flat Major, Op. 46: III. Finale. Allegro 08:15
• Camille Saint-Saëns (1835 - 1921): Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 32:
• 8 Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 32: 1. Allegro 08:42
• 9 Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 32: 2. Andante tranquillo sostenuto 05:25
• 10 Sonata for Violoncello and Piano No. 1 in C Minor, Op. 32: 3. Allegro moderato 06:03
• Camille Saint-Saëns:
• 11 The Swan 02:43
• Total Runtime 01:17:14

Info for French Cello Sonatas

The cello’s rich, singing tones are a perfect match for the passionate eloquence of the Romantic era. In the masterful hands of David Berlin, Principal Cellist of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, partnered by internationally acclaimed pianist Benjamin Martin, the cello reveals its sublime range of colours and timbres.

This intimate album presents radiant music for cello and piano from three masters of the French Romantic: the lyrical beauty of Chopin, the elemental power of Saint-Saëns, and serene elegance from Louise Farrenc.

Frédéric Chopinis best known for his piano music, but his poetic genius also drew him inexorably to the cello – the only other instrument to which he gave pride of place as a chamber soloist, with three major works for cello and piano. Chief among these is his Cello Sonata in G minor, an intense emotional journey that ranges from poignant melancholy to dancing elation and hope, via a dream-like nocturne of exquisite calm.

Louise Farrencwas a leading light in the musical landscape of 19th-century France. Celebrated during her lifetime as a composer, pianist and teacher – the only woman professor at the Paris Conservatoire, who insisted on and finally gained equal pay with her male colleagues – her music is now being rediscovered by new generations of music lovers. Her Cello Sonata blends Classical refinement and subtlety with striking harmonic textures and sparkling virtuosity.

The almost ferocious energy of Saint-Saëns’ First Cello Sonata has more than a hint of Beethoven in the drama and declamatory power of its opening movement, but the clouds give way to pure sunshine for the middle movement – an Andante with a true spring in its step – before the tempestuous finale.

The album closes with one of the best-loved cello melodies of all time: The Swan, from Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. The cello’s lyrical line, gliding gracefully over the rippling harmonies of the piano, is the essence of tranquillity.

David Berlin, cello
Benjamin Martin, piano

David Berlin
studied the cello with Lois Simpson at the Sydney Conservatorium and with Channing Robbins at the Juilliard School of Music in New York.

For over 25 years David has been at the forefront of music performance in Australia, as Principal Cello of both the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (1985-1988) and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (since 1989).

David has made numerous appearances as soloist with these and other Australian orchestras and has been invited to play guest Principal Cello with the Sydney and Tasmanian Symphony orchestras, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian World Orchestra.

In London in 1992, David gave the world premiere performance of the complete works for cello and piano by Franz Liszt, with Leslie Howard.

David has performed chamber music with violinists Kolja Blacher, James Ehnes, Nigel Kennedy, and Sarah Chang and pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Emanuel Ax and Yefim Bronfman, as well as tenor Ian Bostridge.

He has appeared in numerous festivals, and in chamber music projects has toured to Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Along with solo recordings for ABC radio he has appeared as soloist on the Tall Poppies, Chandos and Naxos labels. His recital disc Barber & Debussy with pianist Len Vorster on the Tall Poppies label was nominated by James McCarthy as one of the best classical CDs of 2011 in Limelight magazine.

David plays on a cello made by Ivan Zgradic in Sherman Oaks, California in 1982.

Benjamin Martin
Award-winning pianist Benjamin Martin has appeared regularly with the Australian Chamber Orchestra as well as partnering with such luminaries as Joshua Bell, Alina Ibragimova, Pekka Kuusisto and Hartmut Lindemann. He is a performer of exceptional intensity and subtlety of expression – ‘the consummate artist’, according to The Age – and also a highly regarded composer whose music has been performed around Australia and in the US.

Booklet for French Cello Sonatas