Born 19 months and 357 miles apart, Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt became the two pianistic giants of the 19th century and together changed the future of piano playing. This recording features the superb Fischer Duo in performances of all three of Chopin’s works for cello and piano, as well as the four cello and piano duos by Liszt, composed during the last twelve years of his life. The recital opens with Chopin’s final composition- the magnificent G minor Sonata, written in 1846. This was the last work Chopin played in public and the last work he would hear at his deathbed. Liszt wrote two versions of La Lugubre gondola for solo piano, one before his son-in-law Wagner’s death and one after. It is the second version that Liszt transcribed for cello and piano, and it was his preferred version of the piece. Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth is Liszt’s 1880 reconstruction of his beautiful song of the same name, named for the small island in the Rhine where Liszt spent the summers of 1841-43. After early attempts at solo piano polonaises while still in Poland, Chopin wrote the delightful Polonaise Brillante calling it “nothing more than a glittering trifle for the salon, for ladies.” Romance oubliée was originally a song and is Liszt’s 1880 transcription for cello and piano. The two Élégies were written in 1874 and 1877 respectively. These short works are both in three sections and are prime examples of Liszt’s more introverted side. The virtuosic Grand Duo Concertant was composed by Chopin in the popular ‘opera fantasy’ genre after themes from Meyerbeer’s Robert le Diable. Founded in 1971, the Fischer duo has delighted listeners with performances described as “intense and persuasive” (Gramophone) “boldly imaginative” (Boston Globe), and “beautiful and intense” (The New York Times).
Reviews:
“The Fischer Duo offers listeners an enjoyable set of pieces from two composers primarily known for their piano works much more than chamber music compositions. Both Fischer and Kierman provide wonderfully musical performances full of long, sweeping lines; intimate interplay; and unified interpretive ideas.” - AllMusic (Mike D. Brownell)
“A disc that is well worth adding to any collection of romantic works for cello and piano.” - MusicWeb International
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Sonata in g minor, Op. 65
Polonaise Brillante, Op. 3
Grand Duo Concertant
La lugubre gondola
Die Zelle in Nonnenwerth
Romance oubliee
Elegie No. 1
Elegie No. 2
The Fischer Duo
Norman Fischer, cello
Jeanne Kierman, piano
BRIDGE 9187