Brahms Cello-Piano Sonatas by Pianist Awadagin Pratt and Cellist Zuill Bailey Released by Telarc

[Johannes Brahms (1833-1897): Works for Cello and Piano; Zuill Bailey, Cello; Awadagin Pratt, Piano; Telarc TEL-32664-02 (2011) (76:51)]

Pianist Awadagin Pratt is a teacher and an active performer, and has appeared frequently in posts on this blog. On Dec. 11, 2010 AfriClassical posted: “Listen Magazine: Awadagin Pratt & Zuill Bailey record Brahms cello-piano sonatas for Telarc.” Pre-release publicity included concert performances of some of the music from the disc, which was officially released March 29, 2011. The two performers played ping-pong at the Meadowmount School of Music in 1986, and in their careers have often appeared together, but have not made a recording together until now.

The major works are the Sonata in E Minor, Op. 38 and the Sonata in F Major, Op. 99. The Brahms disc was the first to be recorded in the new state-of-the-art recording studio at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Classics Today finds the recording to be a worthy contribution to the repertoire, and recommends it. The total length of the recording is 76:51.

For Awadagin Pratt, a simultaneous recording project has involved the Harlem String Quartet, which will shortly release its CD of piano trios by Judith Lang Zaimont.