2026 marks both the 60th anniversary of Gaspar CassadÃ³'s death and the 150th anniversary of Pablo Casals's birth. In this album, ValÃ©rie Aimard and CÃ©dric Lorel pay tribute to these two towering Catalan cellists, both of whom were also composers. The full spectrum of Spanish color resounds in CassadÃ³'s rarely performed Sonata in A minor, his flamboyant Requiebros, and his Suite for solo cello, which celebrates it's centenary this year. In striking contrast, Casals's youthful pieces and his deeply moving Can't dels ocells captivate through the simplicity of their poetic, dreamlike Romanticism. Bound by a long-standing musical friendship, ValÃ©rie Aimard and CÃ©dric Lorel illuminate the highly distinctive style of these two great masters: the passion of their musical gestures, the nobility of their expression, and the elegance of a singing line imbued with freedom.

Tracklist:

Cassado: Requiebros
Casals: Pastorale
Casals: RÃªverie
Cassado: Serenade for Cello and Piano
Cassado: Suite for Cello Solo: I. Preludio â€“ Fantasia
Cassado: Suite for Cello Solo: II. Sardana (Danza)
Cassado: Suite for Cello Solo: III. Intermezzo e danza finale
Casals: Romance for Cello and Piano
Casals: Feuillet dâ€™album for Cello and Piano
Granados: Goyescas: Intermezzo (Transc. by Gaspar CassadÃ³)
Cassado: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor: I. Rapsodia
Cassado: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor: II. Aragonesa
Cassado: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor: III. Saeta
Cassado: Sonata for Cello and Piano in A Minor: IV. Paso doble
Casals: El cant dels ocells

UPC: 5051083237956
Label: Aparte
Release Date: 9.18.26
Format: CD

[PRE-ORDER] Valerie Aimard - Cassado: Sonate Suite - Casals: Cello Pieces (CD)