Richard Strauss: Cello Sonatas

On her new album, the highly acclaimed German cellist Raphaela Gromes presents the world premiere recording of the previously unpublished, original version of Richard Strauss' popular Cello Sonata. The Sonata for Violoncello and Pianoforte op. 6 by Richard Strauss (1864-1949) is regarded as a prime example of a completed youth work. Until now, only experts have known that we should not be speaking of only a single violoncello sonata by Strauss since the op. 6 Sonata exists in two versions of strikingly different character. The first version was the result of a composition competition, which the 16-year-old high school student from Munich did not win in 1881. Two years later the well-known, later version op. 6 appeared in print, where the composer had adopted only the first of the three movements. Thus, in the original version, one can rightly speak of a new work that is given to the cello repertoire.

Working in association with the Richard Strauss Edition, Raphaela Gromes and her piano partner Julian Riem have recorded both of the versions of the sonata, comparing it with each other and recreating a piece of musical history that listeners can appreciate on this album. The recording also includes arrangements for cello and piano of songs that are central to Richard Strauss' oeuvre. These include well-known pieces such as "Zueignung", "Die Nacht", "Morgen!" and "Cäcilie". The bonus track is another arrangement by Julian Riem: a six-minute version of the Rosenkavalier - Waltz Sequences.