Latvian cellist
Kristine Blaumane and Russian pianist
Jacob Katsnelson deliver a first-rate duo recital in their debut disc for Quartz. With a big tone, a huge technique, and a passionate temperament,
Blaumane has the right attitude to tackle Barber's achingly lyrical Sonata, Op. 6, and Grieg's emotionally dramatic Sonata, Op. 36. Given strong and unstinting support by the virtuosic
Katsnelson,
Blaumane turns in performances that sing, soar, and ultimately succeed in challenging even the finest of the works' earlier recordings. With a soulful performance of Martinu's atypically aggressive and infrequently programmed Variations on a Slovakian Theme as an encore, this disc will surely appeal to listeners who follow music for the cello. Quartz's digital is close, warm, and very, very vivid.