| Disc No: CYP1617 |
Aged 24 at his death, Guillaume Lekeu wrote only youthful works. Considered one of César Franck's best pupils, he was also influenced by the purity of Beethoven's style, by the new sounds of the young Russian school and by the heritage of Wagner. Although the Sonata for Cello and Piano was written at the age of 18, when he was preparing his baccalaureate in Poitiers (France), this is a successful, mature work ; lyricism reaches a highpoint, distress is transformed into potentiality. Never before had the cello received so much independence, so much eloquence, and not until Shostakovich was it to find such a flame again. The CD also includes the "Trois Pièces" for piano dating from 1892, brief moments of undulating smoothness. Jean-Paul Dessy, conductor and composer, is also an extraordinary cellist. With the pianist - and also composer - Boyan Vodenitchanov as his partner, he delivers a performance proving that this Sonata is a major work of Guillaume Lekeu.
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