Conversa
Gregory Sauer (cello), Heidi Louise Williams (piano)
Cellist Gregory Sauer and pianist Heidi Louise Williams perform a program of works for cello and piano by North and South American composers, including world premiere recordings of works by André Mehmari and Daniel Crozier. Both performers are on the faculty at Florida State University and enjoy careers as recitalists, soloists with orchestras, and chamber ensembles. Ms. Williams appears on three previous Albany Records releases, all of which have received critical acclaim. She has also recorded for Naxos, Neos, and Centaur. Sauer’s discography includes recordings with MSR and Mark Records.
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Track Listing
| Title | Composer | Performer |
|---|---|---|
| Grande Baião II for Cello and Piano | André Mehmari | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
| Sonata for Cello and Piano | George Walker | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
| Nocturne for Cello and Piano | Daniel Crozier | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
| Sonata No. 2 for Cello and Piano | Carmago Guarnieri | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
| Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 6 | Samuel Barber | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
| Três Peças | César Guerra-Peixe | Gregory Sauer (cello); Heidi Louise Williams (piano) |
Reviews
- “
While the Barber Sonata has been recorded several times, the remaining works have enjoyed far less such exposure. All are very much worth hearing. And the listener can be thankful that the performances on this disc are uniformly first-rate. Cellist Gregory Sauer's warm, attractive, and focused tone serves these compositions well, as does his keen articulation and suave phrasing. Heidi Louise Williams is a comparably expert and sensitive pianist. The artists prove adept at embracing the varied aesthetic approaches and sound worlds of the featured pieces. And the gusto they display in dispatching the Brazilian dance rhythms is quite irresistible. The recorded sound is excellent; rich, detailed, and offering a realistic concert perspective. André Golbert's liner notes are both richly informative and beautifully written. This is marvelous repertoire, beautifully performed and recorded. Recommended with enthusiasm.
- “
A listen that brings the cellist Gregory Sauer and pianist Heidi Louise William to compositions by André Mehmari, George Walker, Daniel Crozier, Camargo Guarnieri, Samuel Barber and César Guerra-Peixe, the pair showcase a wealth of talent to the orchestral and chamber influenced affair. "Grande Baiao II For Cello and Piano"opens the listen with the firm keys rumbling with both grace and adventurousness, as the well timed strings complement the impactful climate, and "Sonata for Cello and Piano"follows with more focus on cello amid the quick and agile piano in a very melodic delivery. In the middle, "Nocturne for Cello and Piano"moves sublimely, as mood is manipulated with incredible poise, while "Sonata No. 2 for Cello and Piano"is even more intimate with the stirring strings making an emotional impact. The final two tracks, "Sonata for Cello and Piano Op. 6"and "Tres Pecas", don't disappoint either, where the former flows with both tension and beauty as the instrumentation ebbs and flows with dexterity, and the latter recruits a heartfelt and cautious demeanor where the duo's chemistry is undeniable. A truly well thought out listen that includes a couple of world premiere recordings, both the artists have impressive resumes, and their collective strengths don't disappoint, either.
*Album cover provided for Editorial use only. ©Albany Records. The Albany Imprint is a registered trademark of PARMA Recordings LLC. The views and opinions expressed in this media are those of the artist and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views and opinions held by PARMA Recordings LLC and its label imprints, subsidiaries, and affiliates.