LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827): Sonata in A, Op. 47 “Kreutzer” (arr. Carl Czerny [1791-1857] and Auguste Franchomme [1808-1884]), EMANUEL MOÓR (1863-1931): Ballade in E, Op. 171 (World Premiere Recordings), ARTUR SCHNABEL (1882-1951): Sonata for Solo Cello.

Description: The Beethoven is a blending by the cellist here of two arrangements: Czerny’s (at his teacher Beethoven’s suggestion from 1822 but lost until 1992) and Franchomme’s from 1867; Czerny made the cello part too simple while Franchomme made it sometimes barely playable so Magill chooses between the two. Moór’s 14-minute Ballade was dedicated to Casals in 1913 but never published and has gypsy tune virtuosity as well as a soulful middle section. Schnabel’s 26-minute, four-movement piece, freely atonal and often reminiscent of Reger’s extreme chromaticism, dates from 1931.  Samuel Magill (cello), Beth Levin (piano).