Hans Gál: Music for Cello
Alfia Nakipbekova, cello; Jakob Fichert, piano.
Sonata for Solo Cello op. 109a
Suite for Solo Cello op. 109b
Sonata for Cello and Piano op. 89
Toccata Classics TOCC0043
2012
www.toccataclassics.com
Where to buy or listen
International Record Review, June, 2012
There has never been a better time to get to know the music of Hans Gál (1890-1987), the Vienna-born composer, pedagogue and pianist who settled in Edinburgh having fled from the Nazis in 1938. Thanks to Avie Records, in particular, we have the four symphonies, the piano music (three discs’ worth) and other pieces. Toccata Classics now gives us a Sonata and a Suite for Violoncello Solo (bothOp. 109), composed in 1982 when Gál was 92. This is lyrical music, looking back to Bach and with many oblique twists and turns that keep the listener on his or her toes. It is clear that Gál was totally on the ball as he wrote this appealing, always inventive and elegantly crafted music. Whatever the formalities of the movements that make up these complementary works, there is nothing dry or academic about the music therein. Song and dance is an important part of the invention, wit too.
Alfia Nakipbekova plays superbly and with total conviction, creating many colours and dynamics from her instrument; and she is ideally recorded with tangibility and just enough air. In the earlier. Sonata for Violoncello and Pianoforte (good to be using full names!) from 1953, she is joined by Jakob Fichert. He is an equally fine advocate for Gál’s music. The three- movement Sonata begins with an expansive if agitated movement that is soulful and with many heartfelt refrains that seem nostalgic. There follows a short, spirited movement, which may be reminiscent of Prokofiev.
The finale (of similar length to the opening movement) begins poetically with much inwardness before an Allegro energico bursts in without losing connection to the sorrowful music that has preceded it. In this totally convincing performance Hans Gál’s Cello Sonata lives again.
Colin Anderson
Suite for violoncello solo, Op.109(b) (1982)
Introduzione e Fughetta, Alla marcia, Cavatina, Rondino
Excerpts from
Hans Gál Music for Cello.
Alfia Nakipbekova (cello) and Jakob Fichert (piano)
Toccata Classics, 2012. (First recording)
Sonata for violoncello solo, Op.109(a) (1982)
Andante - allegro comodo, Quasi minuetto lento, Vivace
Excerpts from
Hans Gál Music for Cello.
Alfia Nakipbekova (cello) and Jakob Fichert (piano)
Toccata Classics, 2012. (First recording)
