Ma,Yo-Yo / Ax,Emanuel Hope Amid Tears - Beethoven: Cello Sonatas CD

Three CDs. Yo-Yo Ma and long-time friend and musical partner Emanuel Ax reunite for Hope Amid Tears, a new recording of Beethoven complete works for cello and piano, on Sony Classical. Hope Amid Tears presents Beethoven five sonatas for cello and piano in the order in which they were composed, tracing an important arc in Beethoven's development and approach as a composer. Ma and Ax have made music together for more than 40 years, recording dozens of albums, earning five Grammy Awards, and performing on stages all over the world. Their friendship is not only rooted in a deep love of music, but also a shared sense of humor and keen perspectives on life's joys and challenges. Hope Amid Tears is their second recording of the complete Beethoven cello sonatas, after a 1987 effort that earned the duo their second Grammy.

1. Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1; I. Adagio sostenuto - Allegro 2. Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1; II. Rondo: Allegro Vivace 3. Sonata No.2 in g minor, Op. 5 No. 2; I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo - Allegro molto piu tosto presto 4. Sonata No.2 in g minor, Op. 5 No. 2; II. Rondo: Allegro 5. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; I. Allegro ma non tanto 6. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; II. Scherzo 7. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; III. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace 8. Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1; I. Andante - Allegro vivace 9. Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1; II. Adagio - Allegro vivace 10. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; I. Allegro con brio 11. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto 12. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; III. Allegro 13. 7 Variations on "Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen", WoO 46 14. 12 Variations on a Theme from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, WoO 45 15. 12 Variations in F major on "Ein Madchen oder Weibchen", Op.66