WILHELMINA SMITH violoncello THOMAS SAUER piano BRITTEN, SCHNITTKE, SHOSTAKOVICH Z6801 Three of the four works on this program (the Britten and both by Schnittke) are dedicated to Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, who proved to be a primal force in twentieth century music, not only as a virtuoso and a deeply committed musical interpreter, but also as an ambassador to the West during closed Soviet times.   He may be best remembered as the cellist who coerced, cajoled and inspired so many to compose for him dozens of the greatest works ever written for cello.   It was in 1961 while he was in London with Shostakovich performing the First Cello Concerto (also dedicated to Slava, as is the Second Concerto) that he first met Benjamin Britten.   Backstage, Slava surprised Britten with extravagant praise, relating to him how his music was secretly admired in Moscow.   Through a combination of his magnificent playing and relentless charm, by the end of the next day, he succeeded in wringing from Britten a promise to write a sonata for cello and piano that would be premiered with the composer at the keyboard. … - Mark Mandarano BENJAMIN BRITTEN (1913-1976) Sonata in C, Op.65   1. Dialogo     7:18   2. Scherzo - Pizzicato     2:29   3. Elegia     6:20   4. Marcia     2:11   5. Moto Perpetuo     2:37 ALFRED SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) Sonata No. 2   6. Senza tempo     4:44   7. Allegro     3:40   8. Largo     4:51   9. Allegro     1:59 10. Lento 2:03 DMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH (1906-1975) 11. Moderato     3:47 ALFRED SCHNITTKE (1934-1998) 12. Improvisation for violoncello solo     9:34         total time     52:20 ARABESQUE RECORDINGS - distrbuted in Australia by Rockian Trading