Work: Cello Sonata no. 1 in F major, Op.5 no.1

Nicolas Altstaedt and Alexander Lonquich give Beethoven’s cello sonatas a chance to breathe in a thoughtful and accomplished performance of all five at Wigmore Hall.

Cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Frank Braley are artists I have previously admired in many chamber ensemble concerts, but their recital at Kings Place was the first time I heard them as a duo.

Despite the stormy turbulence in much of Beethoven's writing, Jean-Guihen Queyras and Alexander Melnikov allowed the sunlight to flood in, illuminating these spirited scores.