Wendy Warner (Cello) & Irina Nuzova (Piano)!
The Warner – Nuzova duo — cellist Wendy Warner and pianist Irina Nuzova — makes its recording debut with five late-Romantic Russian works on an album dedicated to the memory of one of Warner’s mentors, the illustrious Russian cellist, composer, and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich (1927–2007).
Fittingly, two of the pieces were originally written for Rostropovich: Nikolai Miaskovsky’s rarely heard Sonata No. 2 in A Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 81; and Alfred Schnittke’s Baroque-inspired Musica nostalgica, for violoncello and piano.
Some of the additional music on this CD includes:
Alexander Scriabin’s Etude Op. 8, No. 11; Sergei Prokofiev’s Adagio from Ten Pieces from Cinderella, Op. 97b;; and Rachmaninov’s Sonata in G Minor for Cello and Piano, Op. 19.
Wendy Warner, who notes that the classical repertoire is rich with works written for piano and cello, particularly enjoys performing in a recital venue. She feels that two performers have more control than a larger group, and subsequently more freedom over the outcome of a specific composition performed .
Scriabin:
Here is the Warner duo performing the Brahms Cello Sonata No. 1 Op. 38, First movement. Just listen to that warm, strong, robust, dark sound that Ms. Warner produces out of that instrument. Wonderful! And the balance provided by the piano is excellent: Ms. Nusova provides an effective supportive sound to make this music stand out and get the attention that these artists deserve.
And here’s the Schumann Fantasie Pieces Op. 73 1: “Zart und mit Ausdruck” (Dainty and with expression)