Six years after their acclaimed disc devoted to Mendelssohn's works for cello and piano, Christian Poltera and Ronald Brautigam now tackle the two cello sonatas by Johannes Brahms, two central works in the repertoire, unquestionably the most important since those by Beethoven. The First Cello Sonata was composed between 1862 and 1865 when Brahms was in his thirties. He seemed intent on showcasing the lyricism of an instrument that is often compared to the human voice. Composed 24 years later, the Second Cello Sonata makes greater use of the cello's range, particularly in the upper register. A common feature of these two sonatas is that the role of the piano is never secondary (Brahms was an excellent pianist) and the dialogue between the two instruments is both inexhaustible and complex. The programme also includes the Funf Stucke i'm Volkston (Five Pieces in Folk Style) by Robert Schumann, Brahms's early mentor. Composed in Schumann's late years, this short cycle reflects the composer's taste for small, expressive pieces in, as the title suggests, a popular and accessible idiom. These miniatures draw their charm not only from the cello's marvellous nuances but also from the 'folk style'.

Tracklist:

Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38~I. Allegro non troppo
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38~II. Allegretto quasi Menuetto
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38~III. Allegro
FÃ¼nf StÃ¼cke im Volkston, Op. 102~I. Mit Humor. Vanitas vanitatum
FÃ¼nf StÃ¼cke im Volkston, Op. 102~II. Langsam (Quarter note = 74)
FÃ¼nf StÃ¼cke im Volkston, Op. 102~III. Nicht schnell, mit viel Ton zu spielen
FÃ¼nf StÃ¼cke im Volkston, Op. 102~IV. Nicht zu rasch
FÃ¼nf StÃ¼cke im Volkston, Op. 102~V. Stark und markiert
Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99~I. Allegro vivace
Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99~II. Adagio affettuoso
Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99~III. Allegro passionato
Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 99~IV. Allegro molto

UPC: 7318599924274
Label: Bis
Release Date: 2.16.24
Format: CD

Brahms / Schumann / Brautigam - Funf Stucke Im Volkston (Hybr) (CD)