Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, composer
[credit: portrait by Barbara Krafft, 1819]

Alexander Kniazev, transcriber, cello

Edouard Oganessian, piano

Regrettably, Mozart never got round to writing a work of substance for solo cello, but there’s absolutely no reason why cellists shouldn’t plunder his vast output for music which could work well on their instrument. Alexander Kniazev has certainly undertaken this act of piracy with relish, coming up with highly effective cello transcriptions of three of the master’s violin sonatas. There are even places in these works where the cello’s greater depth and range is preferable to the original, resulting in a more equally balanced and stimulating dialogue with the piano.

Kniazev and Edouard Oganessian clearly view Mozart in a Romantic light, for example making the slow introduction to K379 sound unusually indulgent. This won’t appeal to purists, but there’s little doubt that both performers are passionately committed to the music and are equally capable of effecting elegance and charm in the more light-hearted movements of K301. It’s a pity that faithful observance of all marked repeats may have prevented room for a further Sonata.

Erik Levi BBC Music Magazine

I have been completely taken by Russian cellist Alexander Kniazev’s reworking of three of Mozart’s sonatas for violin and piano. Mozart has not only been transcribed for cello and piano; he has been Romanticized. And it works wonderfully well in these meltingly lovely performances by Kniazev and Russian pianist Edouard Oganessian. This is a special release, particularly if you already know this music. You will be surprised.

Robert Reilly Crisis Magazine