Album Notes

This recording was made some time ago and when it was first released drew high praise from reviewers, for example this from Gramophone magazine:

‘Neither Karine Georgian, a pupil of Rostropovich and first prize-winner at the 1966 Tchaikovsky Competition, nor Pavel Gililov had come my way before on disc. But I hope such persuasive musicians will soon do so again. Their sympathy for Brahms equally as susceptible romantic and classical craftsman, struck me as of the unforced, intuitively perceptive kind. The two true cello sonatas are keenly contrasted. Unhurried tempos for the flanking movements of the earlier E minor work help to emphasise its gravity: I particularly enjoyed their reserved yet so very pregnant opening. And they find the droll charm of the Allegretto quasi Menuetto and the nostalgia of its trio without a trace of self-conscious coquetry.

Balance, finely judged in the E minor work, sometimes goes against the mellifluously lyrical but not outsize-toned cello in the passionate F major Sonata. With its turbulently rich-textured keyboard part. Yet the two artists are so closely attuned in spirit that this did not seriously disturb me: so often Gililov brings an Ashkenazy-like translucency to the piano’s upper register by way of amends. The laden Adagio id played with a totally committed intensity by them both and the songful finale has an endearing spring-like freshness.

The bonus included is Paul Klengel’s cello transcription of the G major Violin Sonata Op 78. All three recordings were made in The Maltings at Snape. The playing itself is refined and affectionate.’

I hope you enjoy hearing this music as much as I love playing it.

Karine Georgian