Yo-Yo Ma & Emanuel Ax – Hope Amid Tears Beethoven: Cello Sonatas [3CD]

Yo-Yo Ma and long-time friend and musical partner Emanuel Ax reunite forHope Amid Tears,a new recording of Beethovens complete works for cello and piano, on Sony Classical.

Hope Amid Tearspresents Beethovensfive sonatas for cello and pianoin the order in which they were composed, tracing an important arc in Beethovens development and approach as a composer. Joining them are Beethovens three sets of variations for cello and piano.

When we look to music to give us hope for the future, to believe that we can survive and to do good, it is invariablytoBeethovens, says Ax.His mastery of musical craft was second to none, of course, but it is his indomitable spirit in the face of personal tragedy that makes him unique. In thisperiodof world-wide unease, grief, and suffering, it is perhaps fitting that we are also celebrating the 250th birthday of the composer who represents what is best in our humanity.

Ma and Axhave made music together for more than 40 years, recording dozens of albums, earning fiveGrammy Awards,and performing on stages all over the world. Their friendship is not only rooted in a deep love of music, but also ashared sense of humorand keen perspectives on lifes joys and challenges.Hope Amid Tearsis their second recording of the completeBeethoven cello sonatas, after a 1987effort that earned the duo theirsecond Grammy.

Tracklist:

1. Adagio sostenuto Allegro (Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1)
2. Rondo: Allegro Vivace (Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1)
3. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo – Allegro molto piu tosto presto (Sonata No.2 in G minor, Op. 5 No. 2)
4. Rondo: Allegro (Sonata No.2 in G minor, Op. 5 No. 2)
5. Allegro ma non tanto (Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69)
6. Scherzo (Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69)
7. Adagio cantabile – Allegro vivace (Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69)
8. Andante – Allegro vivace (Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1)
9. Adagio – Allegro vivace (Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1)
10. Allegro con brio (Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2)
11. Adagio con molto sentimento d’affetto (Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2)
12. Allegro (Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2)
13. 7 Variations on “Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen”, WoO 46
14. 12 Variations on a Theme from Handel’s Judas Maccabaeus, WoO 45
15. 12 Variations in F major on “Ein Madchen oder Weibchen”, Op.66

UPC: 194398837321
Label: Sony Classics
Release Date: 6.4.21
Format: CD