212. Wendy Warner Plays Brahms

The Concert - Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Works for cello and piano by Brahms performed by Wendy Warner, cello and Irina Nuzova, piano on September 28, 2014.

• Brahms: Sapphische Ode, Op. 94, No. 4 arranged by David Geringas
• Brahms: Lerchengesang (Lark Song) arranged by Zuill Bailey
• Brahms: Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2 in F Major, Op. 99

In September 2014, cellist Wendy Warner played a recital at the Gardner Museum, joined by pianist Irina Nuzova. The program had a distinct focus on Brahms, and on this podcast, we’ll feature three of the Brahms works.

First come two arrangements for cello of Brahms lieder. First is the languidly beautiful “Sapphische Ode,” a love song. The second song we’ll hear is “Lerchengesang,” the Song of the Lark. This is another of Brahms’ love songs, a remarkably sweet, tender melody, about hearing a lark’s song and being reminded of a special spring moment long ago.

Then, we get to the meat of the program: Brahms’ Sonata for cello and piano No. 2, in F Major. The piece opens with an exuberant first movement, with tremolos in the piano and soaring melodies in the cello.

The subsequent movements of the sonata explore a variety of different keys, harmonies, techniques, and moods. The slow movement starts curiously, with the piano voicing the main theme while the cellist plucks along, pizzicato. The final allegro is a quick, light romp, perhaps a somewhat abrupt ending to such a major piece, but one that cleverly leaves the listener wanting more.