Dialogues
Noémie Raymond and Zhenni Li-Cohen
Zhenni Li-Cohen Leaf Music LM295 (leaf-music.ca/music/lm295)
Listen
Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19 II Allegro scherzando M2
Cello Sonata in G Minor Op. 19 III Andante M2
Viola Sonata Version for Cello and Piano I Impetuoso - ma non troppo allegro M2
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Two monumental sonatas from the early 20th century are presented on Dialogues, the superb new CD from cellist Noémie Raymond and pianist Zhenni Li-Cohen (Leaf Music LM295 leaf-music.ca/music/lm295).
Rachmaninoff’s Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op.19 from 1901 is a glorious four-movement work full of the rich sentimentality and Romanticism so typical of his music. Raymond has a wonderfully deep, warm tone that perfectly illustrates the comment in the booklet note that Rachmaninoff gave the cello line “an expressiveness and intensity previously unheard in the repertoire for cello and piano.” The piano is certainly an equal partner here – in fact, it’s hard to think of a duo sonata in which the piano part is more demanding and more crucial, and Li-Cohen delivers an outstanding performance.
There are times when Rebecca Clarke’s Viola Sonata from 1919, heard here in her own transcription for cello, inhabits the same Romantic world as the Rachmaninoff, but influences of Debussy, Ravel and Vaughan Williams are also there. Again, superb playing and ensemble work – a true dialogue indeed – make for a terrific performance.
Recorded at the beautiful Domaine Forget concert hall in Saint-Irénée, QC the exemplary sound quality completes as fine a cello and piano CD as I’ve heard in a very long time.
