Presents
Camille Saint-Saëns
Cello Sonata No.2 in F Major, Op.123
Saint-Saëns' Cello Sonata No.2 in F Major was completed in 1905. It came into being at the request of several prominent cellists. In a letter to his publisher, Saint-Saëns described the work as follows: "The first movement is not an Allegro but almost an Andante. (it was in fact a Maestoso largemente). It is a dark piece.In the Scherzo con variazione, I have not followed the fashion of making the variations resemble the theme, about as much as a sour herring resembles the moon, but they are all very different nonetheless, and there is even a fugue! The Adagio (actually Romanza, poco adagio) and the finale (Allegro non troppo grazioso) will wake of those whom the other movements have put to sleep."
During the third quarter of the 19 century, when the French only seemed interested in opera, Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921), almost single-handedly, attempted to make the case for chamber music, which so many of his countrymen continued to think of as something German. Although famous for his larger orchestral works and instrumental concertos, he devoted a great deal of time and effort to writing chamber music. Not only does he have two string quartets to his credit, but he also wrote three works for piano trio, a quintet for piano, two violins, viola and cello, but also sonatas and instrumental works.
Parts: $19.95
