Sol Gabetta plays Beethoven's Cello Sonata No. 5 and No. 3

Cello Sonata No. 5 & Cello Sonata No. 3

Sol Gabetta, Violoncello

Nelson Goerner, Piano

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN:

Cello Sonata No. 5 in D major, Op. 102, No. 2

Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69

Recorded on 17 July 2016 in the Church in Saanen

Sol Gabetta and Beethoven

Sol Gabetta made a record of Beethoven‘s Triple Concerto (with Giuliano Carmignola, Dejan Lazić and Giovanni Antonini), she also recorded several sonatas (with Hélène Grimaud and Bertrand Chamayou). However, so far she hasn’t recorded any of the five Beethoven Sonatas. Even so, it’s always marvellous to hear her play Beethoven. His work requires her stylistic bravura as well as her great expressive power.

We’re absolutely delighted to present you with two rare live-recordings of Sol Gabetta playing Beethoven: There is on one hand the Beethoven-Soirée (27 July 2018) where she’s playing with the legendary Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder. On the other hand we celebrate her performing the «Gala à deux» with her fellow-countryman Nelson Goerner (17 July 2016). They presented us both the Piano Sonata No. 7 in D major and the Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major.

Close to the «Pastoral»

The Piano Sonata No. 28 in A major is particularly well-suited to Sol Gabetta’s playing style. The No. 28 was composed a decade after the first two cello sonatas. Unlike these two pieces full of unrestrained pathos, the Piano Sonata No. 28 is characterized by a more composed style, allowing the artist to showcase the finer nuances in her playing. (Having studied with Ivan Monighetti and David Geringas, Sol Gabetta obviously masters all these nuances.) Some experts believe the beautifully serene No. 28 to be the herald of the lyrical Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral). One thing however is certain: It was Carl Czerny, Beethoven’s most gifted student, who played the piano at the first performance ever. Two centuries later Sol Gabetta can count on Nelson Goerner and his magnificent and inspired style. One of the best pianists of his generation, he has not only played in all the great concert halls on this planet. He is also professor at the Haute école de musique de Genève und at the Barenboim-Said-Akademie in Berlin.

Sol Gabetta

Artist Description

You couldn’t have come up with a better name for Sol “The sun” Gabetta. She’s as radiant whenever she takes the stage, as when you meet her backstage. She’s kind and generous with her time. For nearly two decades Sol Gabetta has been a leading presence at Gstaad, having become something like the festival’s ambassador. Every year we are blessed with her new projects, often in form of world premieres.

The Gabetta family’s bear paws

We all heard about her great career, but little is known about how it started. Once at Saanen Sol Gabetta shared with us the following story: «I was three years old and my brother Andrés was eight. My parents gave both of us a violin. But – of course – Andrés played much better, because he was much older. However, one day I was offered cello lessons.» Thanks to the Suzuki-method Sol made very soon great progress. «I immediately sensed that the cello was right for me. It feels more natural than the violin. I’m small and have huge hands. We all have bear paws in our family. I can’t fathom how Andrés manages with his violin.»

Cappella Gabetta – For the Love of Old Music

So the years passed and the each of the siblings found their own way. «After Andrés got his diploma, he met Christophe Coin (the great cellist who specializes in the so-called period performance. He immersed himself in the Baroque Music. And even though I followed his journey with keen interest, I focused on the grand concert repertoire… up until I discovered the old music myself. That was whilst I was working on the first «Progetto Vivaldi» for Sony.»

Sol’s interpretation of Vivaldi, the so-called «Red Priest», was a huge success, so that Sony immediately wanted her to do another record. And Sol Gabetta realized that this would allow her to collaborate with her brother: Thus, the Cappella Gabetta was born! And from then on, the Cappella Gabetta became a regular at the Gstaad Menuhin Festival.

Show more Show less