Sol Gabetta Delights with Cello-Piano Program in Salzburg

Cellist Sol Gabetta, following a performance with Patricia Kopatchinskaja's quintet, took center stage at the Mozarteum in Salzburg with pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout. The duo presented a program of German romantic music, featuring Schumann's Fantasiestücke, Brahms's Sonata No. 1, and Mendelssohn's Sonata No. 2, complemented by smaller works arranged for cello and piano.

The concert offered a contrast to Gabetta's previous performance. While she adeptly fit into Kopatchinskaja's energetic style, her solo performance with Bezuidenhout leaned towards a more lyrical and polished approach. Gabetta's cello playing was noted for its rich tone, particularly in the lower registers, though the reviewer suggested the sound became less colorful in higher octaves. Bezuidenhout's accompaniment was described as refined, though he occasionally receded into the background.

Despite the high level of musicianship, including Gabetta's precise intonation and phrasing, the performance did not fully resonate with the reviewer. The large venue was cited as a potential factor, possibly absorbing the energy not generated by the chosen tempos. The faster movements in the Mendelssohn sonata offered more dynamism, but the overall impression was one of moderation and tastefulness, adhering closely to Brahms's "ma non troppo" indication.

A moment of unexpected friction occurred during the Mendelssohn sonata when a hearing aid malfunctioned, producing louder sounds than the cello. This disruption seemed to energize Gabetta, who attacked her part with renewed vigor for the final three minutes, which the reviewer deemed the most compelling of the evening. The performance concluded with applause, though the initial reception after the first movement was described as natural and necessary.