Beethoven: Sonates pour piano & violoncelle

Featuring

Alain Meunier
Anne Le Bozec
Ludwig van Beethoven

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Album & Artwork

This album features the first cycle for cello and piano in musical history, presenting an intimate portrait of the composer.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Beethoven's cello and piano sonatas, from Op. 5 to Op. 102, demonstrate a monumental trajectory in his musical language, evolving towards contraction or dissolution in later works.

Compositional Technique

Although titled a Sonata, Beethoven's Op. 64 is actually a Divertimento in six movements, directly descended from Mozart's K. 563.

Recording & Production

This live recording was made on March 15 & 16, 2013, at the Théâtre Impérial de Compiègne, a venue praised by conductor Carlo Maria Giulini for its acoustics.

Composition History

The recording includes Beethoven's Op. 64, which is a transcription of his String Trio Op. 3 n°1, published in Vienna in 1807.

Historical Context

Transcriptions of musical works, like Beethoven's Op. 64, were common practice at the time, helping to spread and promote works while also providing income for composers.

Performer Biography

Alain Meunier, the cellist on this recording, has numerous recordings, including the complete Bach Cello Suites, which are considered a reference in the repertoire.