Brahms Sonatas
Recorded 1998 on Harmonia Mundi
Winner, Echo Klassik Prize
  Alban Gerhardt, cello
Markus Groh, piano
  Sonate pour violoncelle et piano, Op. 78 No. 1
1. Vivace ma non troppo (10:35)
   RealAudio
2. Adagio (7:54)
   RealAudio
3. Allegretto molto moderato (8:32)
   
  Sonate pour violoncelle et piano, Op. 38 No. 1
4. Allegro non troppo (10:49)
5. Allegro quasi minuetto (5:26)
6. Allegro (6:34)
   
  Sonate pour violoncelle et piano, Op. 99 No. 2
7. Allegro vivace (9:06)
8. Adagio affetuoso (7:05)
   RealAudio
9. Allegro passionato (7:09)
10. Allegro (4:22)
   
  Playing time: 76 minutes
 
 
A new generation of artists shows its best performance.
The result is very promising. Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh show in their ensemble playing that they are able to keep up with the greatest performers of this world. Their performance follows tradition of great romantic interpretation. The enthusiasm with which each of the three sonatas is played becomes evident in every single bar. Technical brilliance of both players compliments this special freshness ... This recording is more than pure promotion. These are very serious recordings presenting us two "thoroughbred'-musicians at their best. This CD is by far more interesting than most of the child-prodigy releases. 
—Pizzicato, May 1998
 
Other cellists, including her teacher Heinrich Schiff (Philips), Rostropovich (DG) and Alban Gerhardt (Harmonia Mundi), manage to delineate this idea with the same degree of nobility, but draw a more tangible sense of a unified melodic line...Yet in a crowded field of excellent recordings of the Brahms Sonatas, neither of these versions matches the front-runners, especially with such luminaries as Rostropovich and Schiff in serious contention. For me, however, Alban Gerhardt’s recording, which generously includes the Klengel version of Op. 78, is perhaps the most satisfying of all. BBC Music Magazine, Erik Levi  
—BBC Music Magazine, Eric Levi
 
Newcomer of the year: Gerhardt doesn't do tricks, although he plays technically perfect. He likes to sing delicately on his instrument, well thought-through but without being pretentiously intellectual. 
—Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten, December 1999
 
 
Both are 28 years young and very good. The cellist Alban Gerhardt lives by now in New York, pianist Markus Groh in Berlin. They are performing together since quite a while and just released after a "Live Benefit Concert CD" a Brahms CD. They play the two cello sonatas and the transcribed violin sonata with a fresh and juicy sound, unpretentious and extremely well balanced. Gerhardts performance is very strong, and Groh reacts well. 
—Tagesspiegel, March 1998
 
Romantics with a fresh view Another recommendation deserves the recording of the cello sonatas by Johannes Brahms on Harmonia Mundi...The young cellist Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh prove with their interpretation, how well one can produce the typical romantic Brahms sound. All of the three pieces spray an incredible esprit...best grades! 
—Göttinger Tageblatt und Giessener Anzeiger, June 1998
 
...Excellent young German artists, Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh present interpretations which impress with the beauty of sound, quality of intonation and articulation on the cello...The transcription of the famous first sonata for violin op.78 allows the cello to keep its characteristics without loosing the melodical essence of this for the violin intended work. Both artists manage to point out the details without loosing the sense of the greater phrases... 
—Monde de la Musique, March 1998
 
On the perfect path:
Alban Gerhardt proved himself in the last years as one of the most constant cellists of the young generation ... A highly talented musician who knows exactly what he wants ... Now we've got good news from France. In the series "Les Nouveaux Interpretes" from harmonia mundi France Alban Gerhardt and his pianist Markus Groh are presenting a recording of the cello sonatas by Brahms. The duo achieves a well-rounded, very naturally phrased interpretation, which does not emphasize only the sumptuous element. Out of self-control arise intensity and excitement. We are looking forward to further recordings. 
—Fono Forum, June 1998
 
The recording starts out already very impressively with the transcription of Brahms' Sonata op.78 for violin ... They follow the composers instructions very well. Alban Gerhardt is an expressive and passionate performer ... Their ensemble playing is excellent. 
—Scala, June 1998
 
Klassik Heute
 
Cellists dedicate about 33% of their CD's to either the Bach Suites or the Brahms-Sonatas, which at times can become rather tiring. But Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh don't let anybody fall asleep for their interpretation of the Brahms Sonatas is just too delicate and intelligent. Gerhardt's bow caresses the strings so meticulous and lithe that others appear like bawlers next to him ... The F Major Sonata becomes a lively X-ray of the score under the weightless grip of the duo, and the e minor Sonata a dancing vision. This well balanced l'art pour l'art ambiance is perfect! 
—Klassik Heute, May 1998
 
Rondo
 
Brahms' G Major Sonata for violin is already one of his most romantic pieces, but in this transcription for cello and piano it gains an even more profound and singing character. This is accomplished by Alban Gerhardt's slender, yet highly intense sound. The performance of the 28-years-old "Berliner" convinces in every aspect - no digging and sobbing in the dark sonority of this instrument, but instead a captivating synthesis of discipline and lyric intensity. The throughout elegiac and dreamy tone of voice in the first sonata in e minor never drifts off in to self-indulgence, but keeps its clear character full of contours. Both Gerhardt and Markus Groh master also the grand gesture as proven in the F Major Sonata. But again they don't mistake power and intensity with false pathos and over-boiling emotion. An almost blind understanding between both musicians, especially in the rhythmical refinements and dynamic shades, adds its part to the lasting general impression. This recording is not only for the new series "Nouveaux Interpretes" a lucky break! 
—Rondo, February 1998
 
Kulturspiegel
 
The young cellist Alban Gerhardt gives himself up with his recent CD (three sonatas by Brahms) to difficult competition. Renowned as on the greatest young talents on his instrument Gerhardt justifies his fame. While technically beyond any doubt anyway, he finds exactly the elegiac sound full of noble warmth, which connects in a perfect way with the music of Brahms... 
—Kulturspiegel, May 1998
 
...Gerhardt is very audibly back with a very accomplished recording of the two sonatas for cello by Brahms and a transcription of the violin sonata op.78,1...These are two obviously intelligent musician - and brainpower has never hurt good musicianship. Gerhardt's beautifully developped cellosound is the vivid proof that he is nobody who is sawing his strings in the first flush of excitement. His performance is sensible, tasteful, polished, superior, but not even a hint cold. That's how you also can make music superbly. The technical challenges pose a casual pleasure for him, and Brahms's harshness is for him rather a reason for being strict and full of character rather than playing heavy and pathetic - this gives this recording something youthful and modern. 
—Die Welt, May 1998
 
A duo of superb class is growing in the person of Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh for chambermusic. Their recent recording of the sonatas for cello by Johannes Brahms shows them as differenciating and each other wonderfully inspiring and complementing musicians, who - technically absolutely superior - can be compared to anybody. Gerhardt enchantes us with his supple and flexible playing, his cello sings narratively...Together they manage to combine the Brahms' power with his emotions. While moving forward, the two artists, who always leave enough space for enjoying the moments, present a high-voltage and fiery a well as sensual interpretation. 
—Hörerlebnis, July 1998
 
...Als Gewinner wichtiger internationaler Wettbewerbe und mit zahlreichen Konzertverpflichtungen kann man Alban Gerhardt und Markus Groh nur als "Neue Interpreten" gelten lassen, wenn man sie mit den grossen Namen vergleicht, die die Brahms-Sonaten bereits eingespielt haben. Aber sie sind jung und frisch genug, um ihre 79 Minuten, grosszügig gefüllt und sehr natürlich reproduziert, wahrlich <im Wettbewerb mit den anderen Aufnahmen> bestehen zu lassen, und die Tatsache, dass ihre Platte im Angebot zu haben ist, macht es nur umso attraktiver. Der von Hugo Wolf so schamlos 'antediluvianische' genannte Brahms ist völlig vergessen. Jede Note spricht - und das nicht nur im späteren, offensichtlich romantischeren F-Dur-Werk. Vom Beginn der e-moll-Sonate an sind diese Künstler sowohl bedacht auf die Subtilitäten der kleinen Markierungen (wie das dem espresso legato folgenden dolce bereits im neunten Takt) als auch auf die markanteren Kontraste. Ihr Quasi Minuetto verbindet einen Watteau-gleichen Charme mit klassischer Haltung, und mit ihrer Vielfalt in Ton und Anschlag und der klugen Behandlung von Tempowechsel verwandlen sie die Fugentechnik des Finales in ein fesselnd spontanes Abenteuer. Herz, sowie Sinn, Finger und Bogen sprechen mit der gleichen Hingabe in den stürmischeren Gewässern der op.99 ... Dieses hervorragend aufeinander eingespielte Duo überzeugte mich sogar, dass das herbstliche Adagio der G-Dur Violinsonate (hier in D-Dur) für das Cello hätte geboren sein können - nicht zuletzt wegen ihrer wunderschönen Wiedergabe des Ende des Werkes. 
—Grammophone, August 1998
 
 
...Alban Gerhardt und Markus Groh face particularly tough competition in this repertoire <Brahms-Sonatas>. But, like so many of the great works, there's space for many views and Gerhardt and Groh more than prove themselves astute Brahmsians. It helps having a recording which seems to present the perfect equilibrium between the two instruments... The duo's account of the D major Sonata (a transcription of the G major Violin Sonata) is one of the most persuasive I've heard. The excellent recording balance is vital here... Similarly sensitive playing graces the E minor Sonata - the duo's performance charming in the Minuet, but particularly impressive in the finale where there is an excellent feel for repose amidst the storm, with an exciting yet admirably controlled coda. Not surprisingly Gerhardt and Groh also have the measure of the F major Sonata, adjusting effectively between the heroic declamation of the opening, the tender lyricism of the Adagio and the stormy passion of the third movement. By any standards, this is an outstanding release and both young artists are surely names to watch. 
—Stradivari-Magazin, July 1998
 
...Surprisingly different, more nervous, slender and romanticly internalized appears the same Brahms sonata in the interpretation of these two highly talented, competition-proven and award-winning soloist...They show the outlines of the sonata clearer, use strong rethorical accents and form the phrases much rather after a "preclassical" concept: Not the beauty of sound but the logic of the sound language is significant in their interpretation. Difficult to say which of the two extraordinary recordings is preferrable. 
—Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, December 1998
 
Alban Gerhardt and Markus Groh, two young and award-winning artists in the cello sonatas by Brahms: lively interpretated, technially-musically mature and so self-confident, that they also put the violon sonata op.78 on the same cd. Great gain! 
—Musik & Theater, September 1998