Beethoven's cello sonatas receive new life with watkins and bax

Pianist Alessio Bax and cellist Paul Watkins bring a fresh perspective to Beethoven's cello sonatas on their new recording, their synergy and rapport evident throughout the five works.

Collaborative effort

Watkins, a veteran of the Nash Ensemble and Emerson Quartet, has spent years immersing himself in Beethoven's chamber Music. He partnered with Bax for this project after being impressed by Bax's rendition of the Moonlight Sonata. Their shared impulse and eloquent playing make for a compelling listen.

The sonatas showcase Beethoven's evolution as a composer, spanning his career from the early days of his piano concertos to the brink of his late period. The first two find Beethoven experimenting with new ways to pair cello and piano, with both partners given equal prominence.

The third sonata, Op. 69, is notable for its perky middle movement that recalls a symphonic scherzo. Watkins and Bax handle the texture changes deftly, maintaining momentum throughout.

The final pair of sonatas allow Watkins to flex his expressive muscles, particularly the fifth, which features a full-fledged slow movement. The duo's restraint in the closing passages gives way to a playful fugue finale.