Martinu - Cello Sonatas

Sonatas for Cello & Piano Nos. 1-3
Variations on a Slovak folksong for Cello & Piano, H. 378
Variations on a Theme of Rossini

Paul Watkins (cello) & Huw Watkins (piano)

Chandos - CHAN10602

These are superb recorded accounts of a body of work quickly popularised by their famous cellists dedicatees.

They exude joie de vivre and embrace sentiment and wit, e.g. in the transformations and parodic return of Rossini's Prayer from Moses in Egypt.

The cover has an austere Japenese photo "Drop of water on metal board" which so fascinated someone at Chandos that it is reproduced four times on the booklet and jewel case !

Recommended unreservedly. No need to look further or indulge in comparative shopping.

Peter Grahame Woolf