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Poulenc and Faure Music for Cello and Piano: Wonderful

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The rather substantial Sonata for Cello and Piano is classic Poulenc: Tart and playful at one moment, meltingly-lyrical the next.

The slow movt conjures images of two lovers enjoying a sultry, summer evening. Titled "Cavatine," it opens in magical stillness, (you'll hear a few echoes of the Concerto for Two Pianos), and then the tremulous love-making begins. The movt actually strikes me as being very "adult" for Poulenc: the spell remains refreshingly unbroken throughout: there's no ADD here, no obligatory Poulencian giggles.

The Faure pieces include his very haunting "Elegy" and "Sicilienne," the latter adopted from the composer's Pelleas Suite.

Finally, little sips of Dessert Wine served up by Kavakos: a series of ultra-short sketches, some of which are quite pleasant.

The recording is wonderful. The piano and cello weighty and resonant; no clanginess, no wispiness, harshness or graininess.

The Soloists, Siranossian and Fouchenneret, prove once again that the future of "Classical" music is in very good hands.


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