Filling “only” two CD’s, the complete works for cello and piano are quintessential and vintage Beethoven. The two youthful Opus 5 sonatas are written in virtuoso concerto style, with an especially glittering role for the piano (Beethoven was a tremendous pianist in his early years), the sonata Op. 69 is in the expansive, sonorous and deep-feeling tonal language of Beethoven’s Middle-Period, whereas the two Late sonatas Op. 102 are marvels of originality, experiment, “quirkiness” and humanity.

This new recording is played on period instruments by two seasoned specialists in the HIP movement (Historically Informed Performance Practice): Formerly of ensemble Il Giardino Armonico, cellist Marco Testori has performed in concert halls around the world, including London’s Wigmore Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York. He is Professor of Baroque Cello at Salzburg’s Universität Mozarteum. Costantino Mastroprimiano is an accomplished and respected fortepianist, who has extensively recorded for Brilliant Classics, notably the complete Piano Sonatas by Clementi and Hummel, as well as works by Alkan, Moscheles, Ries and others.