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National Radio Series 2024–2025

Superb Cello Sonatas

First Aired Jul 9, 2025
0:58:59
audio Audio / Radio Program
1. Introduction 00:00:46
2. Beethoven: Sonata in A major for Cello and Piano, Op. 69 00:30:34
3. Mendolssohn: Sonata in D major for Cello and Piano, Op. 58 00:27:10
⟨ National Radio Series

It took the creativity and drive of Ludwig van Beethoven to truly unlock the cello’s potential. His A major Cello Sonata broke new ground by turning the cellist into an equal partner with the powerful, dominating keyboard. Every thrilling run, every soaring melody, is lovingly shared by the two musicians in this lush and mesmerizing piece of music. After this heroic masterpiece by Beethoven was published in 1809, composers realized all they could do with these instruments. Felix Mendelssohn, a lover of Beethoven, took up the gauntlet and brought cello sonata writing into the Romantic era. His D major Cello Sonata is full of bubbling excitement and long, singing lines. But the heart of the piece is the touching slow movement: a heavenly chorale blended with a heart-stopping aria that Mendelssohn likely wrote in memory of his mother, who had recently passed away. His cello writing was generally inspired by his brother Paul, and fittingly the performance presented here is by two brothers—cellist Paul Watkins and pianist Huw Watkins—who give a showstopping rendition of this superb cello sonata.

PROGRAM

Ludwig van Beethoven

(1770–1827)

Sonata in A major for Cello and Piano, Op. 69 (1807–08)

Paul Watkins, cello; Alessio Bax, piano

Felix Mendelssohn

(1809–1847)

Sonata in D major for Cello and Piano, Op. 58 (1843)

Paul Watkins, cello; Huw Watkins, piano
 
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Paul Marc Mitchell

Paul Watkins

Cello

Alessio Bax

Piano