Gautier Capuçon, cello and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

“Capuçon manages to combine a beautiful cello sound from his 1701 Goffriller that comes as close to the human voice as imaginable with a subtlety of expression and refined, stylish playing” (The Strad). “It’s the rare performer who can bring such ease and refinement to this music, while still giving everything he plays a sense of dramatic urgency” (San Francisco Chronicle).

“In a concert of extraordinary sophistication, dynamic daring and supple phrasing, it was the purity of Gautier Capuçon’s cello that stilled the hall” (The Times).

“The superb French pianist Thibaudet” (The Washington Post) gives performances of “great energy, brilliant technique and unassailable artistry,” glows Cleveland’s Plain Dealer, “replete with color and personality.” 

“There was plenty of Mr. Thibaudet’s trademark refinement in his playing of lacy, ruminative, lyrical passages. He dispatched bursts of arpeggios and spiraling figures with virtuosic élan” (The New York Times). “Jean-Yves Thibaudet played the extensive piano part with extraordinary dexterity and riveting forcefulness, as well as with enthusiasm and captivating wit” (Classical Source).

“Mr. Thibaudet played with sophistication and suavity…His textural variety, from twinkle to velvet, was gorgeous” (The New York Times).

PROGRAM

SCHUMANN Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
BRAHMS Sonata for Piano and Cello No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38
DEBUSSY Sonata for Cello and Piano
SHOSTAKOVICH Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Op. 40