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- Composer: Leo Ornstein [born Lev Ornshteyn] (2 December 1893 -- 24 February 2002) - Performers: Joshua Gordon (cello), Randall Hodgkinson (piano) - Year of recording: 2005 Sonata for Cello and Piano No. 2, written in ~1920. Cello sonata in one movement. Ornstein’s second Cello Sonata was written around 1920, and the first movement was given a private performance with Hans Kindler, just like Ornstein's 1st cello sonata. In the 1970s Pauline, Ornstein’s wife, described the sonata as “one long glorious melody line.” One critic referred to its Hebraic or Eastern European manner, a sentiment suggested by Pauline also. Pauline also indicated that at least parts of two other movements existed, but that the piece was put aside in the fall when Ornstein had to resume the concert circuit, and it was never finished. At some point the first movement was referred to as a Rhapsody, which describes it accurately, but Pauline’s 1976 letter suggests Ornstein preferred sonata, as she emended “Rhapsody” in favor of “2nd sonata.”
