Sergei Rachmaninov Sonata for cello and piano op.19 I. Lento - Allegro moderato 0:00 II. Allegro scherzando 10:23 III. Andante 16:34 IV. Allegro mosso 22:30 Sviatoslav Knushevitsky Lev Oborin Recorded in Moscow, 12.XI.1962
Our favorites unfortunately have nothing to do with which cellist or performance is “The Best.” We can express opinions about our favorites, based on our own unknowable internal criteria, but we must always remember that there is no such thing as an objective ranking criteria for anyone or anything in the arts. If we truly think a performer or performance is superlative, then we can express this as *our opinion,* but, for myself, even trying to rank my own favorites is a waste of time. And, at a certain level of mastery and musicality, the best I can do is marvel at the phenomenon, and I would never mar my enjoyment by listening for flaws in order to justify my own choice of favorites.
