CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)

Cello Sonatas

 

Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 32

Suite for cello and piano, Op. 16

Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 123

 

Maria Kliegel (cello), François-Joel Thiollier

 

The contributions made by Camille Saint-Saëns to the cello repertoire were considerable. In 1872, the year of the first sonata, he had already written his Cello Concerto No.1. 1875 brought the now popular encore piece Allegro appassionato for cello and piano, to be followed in 1902 by Cello Concerto No. 2, and in 1905 came his Cello Sonata No.2 in F major, Op.123.

 

The year of Cello Sonata No.1 in C minor, Op.32 presented continued difficulties in France following the disastrous defeat of Napoleon III at Sedan. The new sonata, written after a time of turbulence and in a period of personal bereavement, makes full use of the lower registers of both cello and piano.

 

These emotionally charged works are excellently interpreted by Maria Kliegel, a Naxos house artist and one of the most recorded cellists in the world: “Maria Kliegel performs with impressive panache and precision. A most welcome addition to the catalogue” Gramophone on Saint-Saëns (8553039).

 

Naxos 8557880