Marin Marais, a prolific composer and virtuoso viola da gamba performer, wrote about 550 compositions and held a position at the French Court after studying with Jean-Baptiste Lully.
Performer Biography
Nina Kotova, the cellist on this album, was accepted into an adult cello class at the Moscow Conservatory at age seven and won First Prize at the Prague International Competition at fifteen.
Compositional Technique
Alfred Schnittke's 'Klingende Buchstaben' (Sounding Letters) is a 1988 tribute to cellist Alexander Ivashkin, with its haunting beginning based on the notes A-E-A-D-E from his name.
Instruments
The earliest surviving cello, known as 'The King,' was made around 1560 by Andrea Amati for King Charles IX of France and is now in the National Music Museum.
Composition History
Paul Hindemith composed his Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 25 No. 3, in 1922 during a chamber music festival, reportedly composing four movements in a single evening.
Historical Context
The cello evolved from an accompanying instrument to a solo instrument in Italy, with the earliest solo works, Seven Ricercari, dating from 1689 by Domenico Gabrielli.
Cultural Impact
J. S. Bach's Six Suites for solo cello became widely known in the early 20th century, largely due to the great cellist Pablo Casals, who said they 'opened up a whole new world.'
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Classic
J. S. Bach: The Complete Cello Suites Performed on Viola
Peaceful Christmas III
Carulli: Chamber Music with Two Guitars
Beethoven: Gassenhauer-Trio, Op.11
Vandini: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-6
Christian Ferras, Vol. 2: Beethoven Triple & Brahms Double Concertos (Live)
