Frank Bridge - Cello Sonata, H. 125

Frank Bridge (1879 - 1941) - Cello Sonata in D minor, H. 125 (1913 - 1917)
I. Allegro ben moderato [0:00]
II. Adagio ma non troppo - Molto allegro e agitato [10:24]
Mstislav Rostropovich, cello
Benjamin Britten, piano (1968)
Frank Bridge's Cello Sonata is a work in two movements typically lasting around 23 minutes.
"Bridge’s cello sonata was written between 1913 and 1917. The first movement, marked Allegro ben moderato, starts with a gorgeous long flexible line in the cello as the first theme in a sonata form. At first it is accompanied by quavers (eighth notes) in the piano. Unlike some of his other works, the Piano Quintet and Phantasy Trio, for example, the piano does not only support the melody. With motivic intrusions it adds dramatic dialogue. Sweeping rhetoric permeates a good part of this sonata. Shortly after the beginning a syncopated figure enters in the piano. Later it is taken over by the cello and leads to a climax during which a melody in the cello is given which later is transformed to the opening theme of the second movement. A descending passage, as the music subsides, leads to a sostenuto theme played on the piano with no figuration, but with subtle harmonic colouring. This second theme is restated in the cello followed by the first theme played tranquillo. Gradually the music returns to its original tempo. During this time we have a short passage in parallel fourths in the piano. Bridge’s use of parallel fourths, fifths, and triads in this sonata was not a characteristic of his earlier music. After the recapitulation a short coda, in which the cello plays the first theme in augmentation, ends quietly.
The second movement starts Adagio ma non troppo with a theme in the piano derived from a passage in the cello during the first movement. After two bars of cello the theme is repeated in the piano again. After a cello solo another theme enters in the cello accompanied by parallel fifths in the piano. A new element is added shortly thereafter with a melody divided between the two instruments in a fragmentary way. Accompanied by parallel triads in the piano a rather bucolic theme follows, which sounds like an English folk-song. It then goes on to a molto allegro in the piano. This scherzo-like section starts on four descending semitones, which return constantly in the lower registers of both instruments. Suggestions of melodies of the slow section melt old with new. The slow section then returns with the bucolic theme we heard before, which was accompanied by parallel fifths. Now it is pieced together with fragments of thematic material from the movement’s opening section. Later the cello enters with the first theme in its original key, which then makes its way to a fortissimo climax. The following coda, based on the first theme of the first movement, now in the major, brings the sonata to a vigorous conclusion."
(source: Naxos)

[@KinkyLettuce]

underrated composer. His small piano pieces are little jewels that sparkle with character and beauty.
This is no exception

[@Ferdinand314]

This piece deserves a much higher profile in the repertoire. It's uniquely beautiful. Britten and Rostropovich are a dream team for this performance, too.

[@Destoyerful]

Amazing that Britten is the pianist in this recording considering Bridge taught him composition. Plays it extremely well!

[@penpow]

Exquisite colours… an otherworldly composition and performance. The melody simply revolves around and around, almost by itself, and the piano - with its profound, swirling ondulations - transcends the mundane… the closest our species could get to a glimpse of heaven itself.

[@mysterium364]

Peak post-Romantic chamber music composition. This goes right up with the Roslavets Viola sonata in my book.

[@greatmomentsofopera7170]

This recording is absolutely superb. One of the great cello works.

[@kierancarter5639]

In my opinion this is the best cello sonata ever written, a unique masterpiece. This is a wonderful recording, yet Steven Isserlis’ out of this world.

[@vaclavmiller8032]

His masterpiece imho.

[@ATommy-tx5ls]

So wonderful music

[@sabrinaschantz]

what an amazing recording, with wonderful performers

[@davidrehak3539]

Frank Bridge:d-moll Gordonkaszonáta
1.Allegro ben moderato 00:00
2.Adagio ma non troppo - Molto allegro e agitato 10:24
Msztyiszlav Rosztropovics-gordonka
Benjamin Britten-zongora

[@archiesarna-howard460]

2:31 don’t know what it is about the piano 2nd subject here but omg it makes me so sad

[@verslaflamme8185]

awesome