Reviewed by Dave Massey

If you haven't experienced the music of Boccherini, then there's a treat in store for your deprived lugholes if you can afford to get a recording of these Sonatas. Did I say a recording? Well, as a matter fact, yes. This is not the best rendition that I have heard and it is spoiled by some dubious intonation. A possible reason becomes clear when scouring the sleeve notes, one discovers that Suzuki's instrument is an original violincello dating back to 1570. At the risk of sounding like a complete idiot (Why worry now? Ed) it's not as good as a reconstruction would have been and I think is a triumph of snobbery over musical integrity. That aside, it's hard to put a good composer down, and Boccherini manages to shine admirably through the rough moments and Suzuki's accurate playing and phrasing go a long way to redeem things. In this recording the two other parts on the sonatas are taken by a cello and an harpsichord instead of the violin or double bass, and it succeeds well in maintaining a light 18th century feel to the music

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