Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven, Gabriel Urbain Fauré, Alphonse Hasselmans, Nikolaus Kraft, Fritz Kreisler, Charles Oberthür, Maurice Ravel, Gioacchino Antonio Rossini, Charles Camille Saint-Saëns, Louis Spohr, Franz Joseph Strauss, Marcel-Lucien Tournier, Gabriel Verdalle
Performer: Mathias Johansen, Silke Aichhorn
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: CPO
Catalogue: 555463-2
Release: 2021
Size: 472 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Strauss: Nocturne in D-Flat Major, Op. 7 (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Kreisler: 3 Alt-Wiener Tanzweisen
02. No. 2, Liebesleid (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Beethoven: 3 Pieces for Mechanical Organ, WoO 33a
03. No. 1 in F Major, Adagio assai (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Kraft: 8 Divertissements, Op. 14
04. No. 5, Molto adagio (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Spohr: Violin Sonata No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 114
05. II. Satz Zauberflötenvariationen (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
06. Fauré: Sicilienne, Op. 78 (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Fauré: Songs, Op. 7
07. No. 1, Après un rêve (Arr. for Cello & Piano)
08. Tournier: Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 21 (Version for Cello & Harp)
Rossini: 2 Pezzi
09. No. 2, Allegro agitato (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
10. Hasselmans: Confidence, Op. 24
11. Oberthür: Fantasy on “Old Robin Gray” (Arr. for Cello & Piano)
12. Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19 (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
13. Verdalle: Méditation, Op. 18
Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux
14. XIII. Le cygne (Arr. for Cello & Harp)
Rare but irresistible: “Cello Meets Harp” Singing melodies of the cello borne by the silvery splendor of the harp’s tonal cascades – Mathias Johansen and Silke Aichhorn formed their duo in 2018 in order to revive the rarely performed literature for these two instruments.
It is not clear why there are so few original compositions for this duo form. In the nineteenth century the tradition was for the harp to accompany virtuoso violinists. In his time Frederick the Great of Prussia employed a harpist to accompany his own flute solos and the violin sonatas of his violinists Benda and Graun. Prior to the French Revolution this combination was very much in vogue in the distinguished residences of the Parisian nobility, and then, in the early nineteenth century, it found its place on the German concert stage with the musical husband and wife Louis and Dorette Spohr. The combination of soft, bowed tones on the violin or the cello with sparkling runs on the harp is tonally irresistible – as Silke Aichhorn and Mathias Johansen demonstrate on their first joint album.
Singing melodies of the cello borne by the silvery splendor of the harp’s tonal cascades – Mathias Johansen and Silke Aichhorn formed their duo in 2018 in order to revive the rarely performed literature for these two instruments. It is not clear why there are so few original compositions for this duo form. In the nineteenth century the tradition was for the harp to accompany virtuoso violinists. In his time Frederick the Great of Prussia employed a harpist to accompany his own flute solos and the violin sonatas of his violinists Benda and Graun. Prior to the French Revolution this combination was very much in vogue in the distinguished residences of the Parisian nobility, and then, in the early nineteenth century, it found its place on the German concert stage with the musical husband and wife Louis and Dorette Spohr. The combination of soft, bowed tones on the violin or the cello with sparkling runs on the harp is tonally irresistible – as Silke Aichhorn and Mathias Johansen demonstrate on their first joint CD. The program includes original works as well as familiar classics and hidden treasures for orchestra or other combinations of instruments – all masterfully presented by the two musicians. The result is a unique sound space, full of romantic feeling, power, and emotion, in which listeners will experience new fascination on each new hearing.