Strauss & Wagner: Works for cello and piano

Norbert Anger (cello), Michael Schöch (piano)

Composers

Popper, David (1843-1913)
Strauss, Richard (1864-1949)
Wagner, Richard (1813-83)

Works

Strauss, R: Cello Sonata in F major, Op. 6
Strauss, R: Romance for cello and piano in F Major, AV 75
Wagner: Albumblatt in E major (für Ernst Bendikt Kietz)
Wagner: Einleitung zu 'Tristan und Isolde', WWV 90
Wagner: Tristan und Isolde
Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder (5)

Like Richard Strauss, besides the dominating stage works Richard Wagner’s oeuvre catalogue shows several works for other genres, including compositions for choir, piano and chamber music as well as songs. Amongst them, the Wesendonck-Lieder, composed after texts by his occasional muse, Mathilde von Wesendonck, the wife of a Swiss industrialist, have attained special popularity. Very special is the version which can be heard on this recording for deep voice played by the violoncello. Additionally to the chamber pieces by Richard Strauss also the Album Page and Prelude to Tristan und Isolde in the cello/piano version by Richard Wagner can be found on this CD.

March 2019

Strauss and Wagner prove here that they are masters of chamber music as well as the operas they are most well known for. These pieces are full of passion, played here with conviction.