Yo-Yo Ma and long-time friend and musical partner Emanuel Ax reunite for this new recording of Beethoven’s complete works for cello and piano. Hope Amid Tears presents Beethoven’s 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. Included are Beethoven’s three sets of variations for cello and piano. Over 2 ½ hours of exquisite music on three CDs. 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.

Details

Disc 1

1. Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1; I. Adagio sostenuto - Allegro Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax     18:23                       
2. Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 5 No. 1; II. Rondo: Allegro Vivace Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax            7:34                       
3. Sonata No.2 in g minor, Op. 5 No. 2; I. Adagio sostenuto e espressivo - Allegro molto piu tosto presto Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax     16:35                       
4. Sonata No.2 in g minor, Op. 5 No. 2; II. Rondo: Allegro Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                      9:37                       

Disc 2

1. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; I. Allegro ma non tanto Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                    13:31                        
2. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; II. Scherzo Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                5:29                       
3. Sonata No.3 in A Major, Op. 69; III. Adagio cantabile - Allegro vivace Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax   9:01                       
4. Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1; I. Andante - Allegro vivace Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax        8:43                       
5. Sonata No.4 in C Major, Op. 102 No.1; II. Adagio - Allegro vivace Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax         8:11                       
6. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; I. Allegro con brio Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                   6:56                       
7. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; II. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affetto Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax     9:38                       
8. Sonata No.5 in D Major, Op. 102 No. 2; III. Allegro Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                             4:47                       

Disc 3

1. 7 Variations on "Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen", WoO 46 Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax                9:22                       
2. 12 Variations on a Theme from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, WoO 45 Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax   14:00                       
3. 12 Variations in F major on "Ein Madchen oder Weibchen", Op.66 Ma, Yo-Yo & Emanuel Ax        10:43