Beethoven: The Music for Piano and Cello

Featuring

David Breitman
Jaap ter Linden
Ludwig van Beethoven

Did you know?

1/6

Compositional Technique

In Beethoven's first two cello sonatas, the keyboard player (Beethoven himself) often takes the virtuoso role, while in the last three sonatas, the cello and piano are presented as perfectly equal partners.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The Beethoven cello sonatas on this album span all of his creative periods, from his early period (opus 5) through his middle period (opus 69) to his late period (opus 102).

Instruments

This recording uses a cello made by Johannes Cuypers in 1799.

Recording & Production

The album was recorded in Clonick Hall at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in July 2013.

Instruments

Two different fortepianos are used for this recording: a copy of an Anton Walter fortepiano (ca. 1800) for the early sonatas and variations, and a copy of a Conrad Graf (1819) for the later sonatas.

Interpretation

Jaap ter Linden, the cellist, is attracted to the way older musicians play, believing their life experience enriches their grasp of the music, bringing humility and balance.