CD 1:
Cello Sonata No. 1 in F major, Op. 5/1
12 Variations on ‘See the conqu’ring hero comes’ from Handel’s Oratorio ‘Judas Maccabaeus’, WoO 45
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 5/2
12 Variations on ‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’ from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, Op. 66

CD 2:
Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69
7 Variations on ‘Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen’from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, WoO 46
Cello Sonata No. 4 in C major, Op. 102/1
Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102/2

A live concert recording from St Petersburg: Beethoven composed a total of eight works for cello and piano, whose sheer joy and ingenuity are hard to beat and are wonderfully captured in this live recording. The French cellist Marc Coppey and Peter Laul, his St Petersburg partner at the piano, perform these works with great character and energy, creating an impeccable, sparkling sound in the popular variations and substantial sonatas. Even in a live situation, the technical perfection of the performers is impressive.

As a venue for their “Beethoven marathon”, they opted for the Small Hall of the St Petersburg Philharmonia: its historical ambience, steeped in tradition, and the supremely attentive audience create atmosphere as well as inspiration. Both are features of this recording, setting it apart from other complete recordings of these popular works, most of which are studio recordings. The hall’s resident Steinway and the recording equipment from the former Melodya studios complete the Saint Petersburg ensemble.

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Live recording: November 3, 2017, Small Hall of the Saint Petersburg Philharmonia