Frédéric Chopin, César Frank, 2 Sonaten, Pierre Fournier, Violoncello. Jean Fonda, Piano

Released in 1971 by Deutsche Grammophon, this recording brings together two pillars of the nineteenth-century cello repertoire: the Chopin Sonata in G minor and the Franck Sonata in A major. The release captures Pierre Fournier, often regarded as one of the most elegant and refined cellists of the twentieth century, during a period of his mature artistry. He is accompanied by pianist Jean Fonda, with whom he shared a long-standing musical rapport that emphasized a chamber music approach rather than a soloist-dominated interpretation.

The album serves as a notable entry in the Deutsche Grammophon catalog, adhering to the label's high standards for mid-century analog production. The engineering aimed to highlight the nuanced, lyric tone for which Fournier was celebrated, balancing the complex piano textures against the cello's expressive voice. The pairing of Chopin's singular contribution to the cello repertoire with Franck's expansive, dramatic sonata provides listeners with a study in contrasting Romantic styles, and the record has remained a respected reference for cello students and enthusiasts alike.