Chopin's Cello Sonata puzzled his contemporaries and remains less accessible than his earlier music, while Alkan's Sonata, despite its technical difficulties, speaks directly.
Performer Biography
Alban Gerhardt, the cellist on this recording, was born into a musical family in Berlin and began playing piano and cello at age eight, excelling at both.
Composition History
Auguste-Joseph Franchomme, a French cellist, collaborated with Chopin on a Duo for cello and piano and was likely consulted on the cello parts for both Chopin's and Alkan's sonatas.
Critical Reception
Alkan's Cello Sonata, Op 47, enjoyed an acclaimed reception at its rare public performances, including an ovation at a Paris concert in 1875, but suffered neglect for most of the 20th century.
Composition History
The Cello Sonatas by both Chopin and Alkan were partly inspired by Auguste-Joseph Franchomme, a leading French cellist of their generation, who premiered both works.
Composition History
Chopin and Alkan, both pianist-composers, were good friends and lived near each other in Paris; many of Chopin's piano pupils went to Alkan after Chopin's death.
Composer Biography
Charles-Valentin Alkan, a talented Hebraicist, attempted to translate the entire Bible and included a quote from the Old Testament book of Micah in the score of his Cello Sonata.
