FRANCK:  Sonata in A Major.  SCHUMANN:  Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70.  BRAHMS:  Sonata in D, Op. 78
Pieter Wispelwey, cello; Paolo Giacometti, pianist
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 18602  TT:  62:07
 (5 channel) 

Here's a collection of performances by cello and piano of works originally written for other instruments with piano.  Both the Brahms and Franck were written for violin; Schumann's Adagio and Allegro for horn and piano although the composer made this arrangement for cello. Wispelwey's performance of the Brahms is equal to the earlier one by Jaccqueline du Pre - and far better recorded.  He is one of today's finest younger cellists who already has many superb recordings to his credit.  This recording was made early in 2001 in Doopsgezinde Church in the Netherlands, a very resonant site whose acoustics have been accurately captured via five channels, producing warm cello/ piano sound.  There is much pleasure to be derived from this CD. 

SCHUMANN:  Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54.  DVORAK:  Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33.
Paolo Giacometti, pianist; Arnhem Philharmonic Orch/Michel Tilkin, cond.
CHANNEL CLASSICS CCS SA 17802 TT:  70:44 
(5 channel) 

Young pianist Giacometti offers a rather subdued account of the Schumann concerto; his performance doesn't approach the best of the many recordings of this work, including rather recent ones by Martha Argerich and Murray Perahia - as well as older versions by Lipatti, Gieseking and Serkin. The choice of coupling the Schumann with Dvorak's concerto is welcome but this rather little-known work needs more fire and drama than heard here - Richter did it right in 1976. Channel Classics recordings all seem to be highly resonant,  quite beautiful to hear but lacking impact a with blurred detail. In all probability Giacometti's playing is better articulated than it sounds in this sonic wash.