The Russian Cello

Penguin Guide 3 stars.

This album presents works for cello and piano by Igor Stravinsky, Dmitri Shostakovich, and Alfred Schnittke, performed by Torleif Thedéen and Roland Pöntinen. Stravinsky’s *Suite Italienne*, arranged in collaboration with Gregor Piatigorsky, draws on themes from the ballet *Pulcinella*, blending Baroque inspiration with Stravinsky’s distinctive neoclassical style. Shostakovich’s *Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40*, composed in 1934, reflects the complex tensions of its era, weaving lyrical and tragic elements. Schnittke’s *Cello Sonata* (1978) exemplifies his polystylistic approach, juxtaposing romanticism and avant-garde influences to create a work of profound emotional depth.