Dive into the rich world of French chamber music with Mats Lidström's captivating album, featuring a stunning collection of cello sonatas and songs. This 2003 release on the Hyperion label showcases Lidström's virtuosity and deep connection with the repertoire, proving that the cellist's world is indeed unlimited.
The album opens with Albéric Magnard's Cello Sonata in A Major, Op. 20, a work that demands both technical prowess and expressive depth. Lidström navigates the sonata's four movements with aplomb, from the opening "Sans lenteur" to the final "Rondement," offering a compelling interpretation of this lesser-known masterpiece.
The second part of the album is dedicated to Charles Koechlin's Chansons bretonnes, Book 3. These nine songs, sung by Else Liebesberg, are settings of Breton folk poems, and they offer a delightful contrast to the sonatas. Lidström and Liebesberg bring these songs to life with their sensitive and nuanced performances, showcasing the beauty of French melody and harmony.
The album concludes with Charles-Marie Widor's Cello Sonata in A Major, Op. 80. This three-movement work is a tour de force for the cellist, and Lidström rises to the occasion with a performance that is both technically impressive and musically satisfying.
With a total duration of 71 minutes, this album offers a generous helping of French cello music, performed by one of the genre's finest practitioners. Whether you're a seasoned chamber music enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this album is sure to delight and inspire. The album is produced by Rolf Liebermann and features Nona Liddell on violin and Karl Liebl on tenor.
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