Ophélie Gaillard & Edna Stern - Play Chopin (2010)

Tracklist

01. Sonata in G Minor for cello and piano, Op.65: Allegro - Moderato 15:13
02. Sonata in G Minor for cello and piano, Op.65: Scherzo - Allegro con brio 5:12
03. Sonata in G Minor for cello and piano, Op.65: Largo 3:01
04. Sonata in G Minor for cello and piano, Op.65: Finale - Allegro 6:25
05. Prelude in A Minor, Op.28 No. 2 2:19
06. Nocturne in G Major, Op.37 No. 2 05:53
07. Prelude in E Minor, Op.28 No. 4 02:23
08. Nocturne in G Minor , Op.37 No. 1 06:11
09. Introduction & Polonaise brillante in C Major, Op.3 08:54
10. Nocturne in E Minor, Op.72 No. 1 04:10
11. Waltz in A Minor, KK Ivb No. 11 02:31

Ophélie Gaillard - Cello (Francesco Goffriller, 1737 Bow Etienne Pageot, 1840)
Edna Stern - Piano (Pleyel, 1843)

This is a very satisfying album, pairing two highly attuned artists. Ophélie Gaillard is a beautiful cellist. She plays with a lovely, somewhat tangy tone that is expressively produced in every register. She, like Edna Stern, is a somewhat reticent player. Gaillard never tries to bowl you over with high volume, unlike Yo Yo Ma. One hears in her tone and phrasing, perhaps, the influence of Casals. The 1843 Pleyel piano she plays on this CD features leather covered hammers; one rarely is aware of its being a percussive instrument. The Pleyel was Chopin’s favorite piano. In it one hears on this album Chopin’s preference for subtlety and singing phrasing. It is an instrument with warmth and decorum.