At only 34, Sol Gabetta has made more acclaimed recordings than many cellists could dream of producing in a lifetime. Thankfully, Gabetta offers us quality along with quantity. Her recording of the Elgar cello concerto rivals that of Jacqueline Du Pré, and her interpretation of the Shostakovich would no doubt impress even its dedicatee Rostropovich. Gabetta’s playing is consistently stylish and original, to which every one of her recordings attests.

This particular recording with Bertrand Chamayou at the piano offers fewer opportunities for displays of virtuosity, but Gabetta delivers as a sensitive chamber musician. Gabetta and Chamayou present a number of compositions by Chopin for cello and piano, including two he composed with cellist Auguste-Joseph Franchomme and one original composition by Franchomme. Chopin is best known for his music for solo piano, although listening to this CD one could be forgiven for thinking the cello rather than piano was his primary instrument. Franchomme, Chopin’s colleague and friend, was a virtuoso cellist, and the two would often perform these works together at Parisian salon recitals. The selection presented here, therefore, makes for a great recital disc.

French pianist Chamayou is a brilliant duo partner for Gabetta. His rendering of Chopin’s piano writing is masterful without being overpowering, particularly during the Polonaise brillante in C major. Almost a piano solo with cello interludes, here Chamayou’s fingers seamlessly trip across the keys to produce a truly magical sound. Gabetta’s playing is proportionally assertive and playful. Even though the recording is a purely aural rather than visual experience it’s easy to detect a friendly and sympathetic collaboration between the two musicians. Both offer intelligent readings of the score while still maintaining a sense of fun and lightheartedness when the music calls for it. A lovely collection of romantic gems for cello and piano.

Alexandra Mathew