Capturing the essence of Chopin

Andreas Brantelid, Marianna Shirinyan and Vilde Frang find the poetry in Chopin's Cello Sonata, Piano Trio and Grand Duo

Composer: Chopin
Repertoire: Cello Sonata; Piano Trio; Grand Duo
Artists: Andreas Brantelid (cello), Marianna Shirinyan (piano), Vilde Frang (violin)
Rating:  4.5/5
Genre: Instrumental
Label: EMI Classics 968 7742

Chopin’s Cello Sonata refuses to play the role of a Romantic blockbuster. It is lyrical without being radiantly melodic, demanding but not overtly virtuosic. Brantelid and Shirinyan capture its elusive idiom to perfection by focusing on its poetic nature, shaping phrases with a refined sensitivity that points the way to Fauré. The Grand Duo on themes from Meyerbeer’s opera Robert le Diable is also given a winning performance – a sparkling champagne to counterbalance Maria Kliegel’s rich ruby port on Naxos. Finest of all is the Piano Trio, in which Brantelid and Shirinyan are joined by the remarkable young violinist Vilde Frang.