Petr Limonov

Corinne Morris & Petr Limonov – Belle Époque 1886 (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:04:22 minutes | 1,01 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © SOMM Recordings

SOMM RECORDINGS: Belle Époque 1886 celebrates a golden age of French chamber music, uniquely coupling Cello Sonatas by César Franck and Benjamin Godard. Francks A major and Godards D minor Sonatas were both composed in 1886 when French composers were replacing Austro-German dominance with a native, vernacular style. Making their debuts on SOMM are cellist Corinne Morris and pianist Petr Limonov. Of Anglo-French heritage, Morris continues to reveal herself a formidable musician. She made a triumphant comeback after a shoulder injury forced her to withdraw from the concert platform for more than five years. She has been hailed by Mstislav Rostropovich as Corinotchka, my colleague while Paul Tortelier wrote My warmest wishes are for Corinne and her art. With a burgeoning profile at the keyboard and conductors podium, Russian-British pianist Petr Limonov has been described as an extremely multi-faceted, phenomenal musician who has an endless array of abilities (Classical Music magazine). Francks Cello Sonata an arrangement by cellist Jules Delsart of his Violin Sonata, originally composed for violinist Eugène Ysaÿes wedding and the only alternative version sanctioned by the composer is notable for the lyrical, singing quality of its cello writing while boasting complex harmonies and sophisticated thematic devices throughout. A prolific composer, versatile musician and close associate of Francks, Godards Cello Sonata, says Gavin Dixon in his booklet notes, demonstrates an innate knowledge of the instrument, especially of the varied expressive potential of its different ranges. It is shot through with vivid coloring of the cellos voice in shifting registers and Godards penchant for the operatic.

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