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• On the one hand this set offers the opportunity to compare Beethovens art of composition at various stages in his life. And on the other hand one can already recognise in the early Opus 5 how he breaks with the traditional sonata in which the solo instrument merely provides an accompaniment and treats the two instruments as equal partners in the creation of the movements.

  Richter and Rostropovich devote themselves to their task with verve and freshness. The two early works are marked by the rich and full sound of the cello and an elegantly performed piano part, while the two Russian musicians foster a contemplative, introverted style in the A major Sonata.

  This respectful approach also lends itself well to the C major Sonata where the free, fantasia-like character with wide-ranging shading is shown off to advantage. Beethovens break with the traditional sonata-form layout is carried to extremes in the D major Sonata, where the cello ignores the powerful theme on the piano in the first movement.

  The works brittleness is effectively revealed by the two musicians in the transition from the sensitive Adagio to the austere, freely worked final Fugato, while their resolute and analytical approach to the work and technical prowess on their instruments is highly rewarding.

  Recording: June 1962 at Rosenhgel Studios, Vienna, and July 1961 at Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, by C.R. Fine
  Production: Harold Lawrence

• Artist: Ludwig van Beethoven, Mstislav Rostropovich, Sviatoslav Richter Label: Philips, Speakers Corner Records Format: LP Units: 2 Country: Germany Genre: Classical Style: Classical

• Sonata No. 1 In F Major, Opus 5, No. 1
  Sonata No. 4 In C Major, Opus 102, No. 1
  Sonata No. 5 In D Major, Opus 102, No. 2
  Sonata No. 2 In G Minor, Opus 5, No. 2
  Sonata No. 3 In A Major, Opus 69