Cellist Benjamin Shapira proves himself that more the capable musician with every performance he gives. His April 29 performance of the five Beethoven sonatas with accompanist Doris Stevenson in Alice Tully Hall at Manhattan's Lincoln Center was another case in point.

A passionate performer, Shapira throws his whole body into the performance, drawing out the most he can, dynamically, from the pieces he's playing. Still, Shapira manages precision and stays short of melodrama, never sacrificing the music for histrionics.

Stevenson was a contrast, her touch being considerably lighter and more reserved. Yet the two found common ground to make the performance work... With a barely existent intermission, the concert flew by quickly, clocking in at under 90 minutes. The program made for a succinct observance of Beethoven's work over time, the sonatas being composed over a 20 year span: the first two in 1796, the third in 1807 and the last two in 1815.

Unorthodox works for their time, the sonatas pose some serious demands, but the duo pulled off the challenging works with admirable grace. Shapira's command of the multifaceted pieces was impressive.