A splendid-sounding recording – with exceptional balance and definition, and attractively full tone from cello and piano. I note that Pieter Wispelwey himself is named as co-producer of the record. He and Giacometti play the Poulenc Sonata in a way that matches the immediacy of the sound. Whereas Conway and Evans present the work as a clean, fairly uncomplicated piece of neo-classicism, and Isserlis and Devoyon stress an atmospheric, post-impressionist side, Wispelwey and Giacometti give the music a satirical edge, with the sensuous and emotional passages sounding highly appealing, but maybe not entirely serious. It’s all immensely lively and strongly characterized – and a clear recommendation.
The pieces Faure pieces are very successful, above all the famous Elegie, played with passion, grandeur and tenderness. These two highly talented artists do well by the Chopin Sonata, too, though by the side of Mork’s and Andsnes’s expansive and intense performance they do seem just a trifle cool. The Largo, for example, comes over with a fine sense of direction, and sweet, beautifully-modulated tone from both players. Mork and Andsnes, however, take us further inside the music, evoking in the closing bars a magical, rapt mood. But for me the best version of this wonderful work remains the 1980 recording by Rostropovich and Argerich. The piano-playing there has extraordinary individuality, and the expressive freedom serves to illuminate every corner of the music. And Rostropovich’s power and character make a perfect match.
If you’re mainly interested in the Chopin, then, this isn’t an overall winner, but the CD as a whole is very impressive.'