Ludwig Thuille - Cello Sonata, Op. 22 (1902)

Ludwig Wilhelm Andreas Maria Thuille (Bozen, 30 November 1861 – 5 February 1907) was an Austrian composer and teacher, numbered for a while among the leading operatic composers of the so-called Munich School of composers, whose most famous representative was Richard Strauss.

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Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 22 (1901-02)
Dedication: Felix Vom Rath (1866–1905)

1. Allegro energico, ma non troppo presto (0:00)
2. Adagio (9:04)
3. Finale. Allegro ma non troppo (18:33)

Peter Hörr, cello and Frank-Immo Zichner, piano

Details by Edition Silvertrust

The three movement Cello Sonata dates from 1902. In it, Thuille combines classical forms with Wagnerian chromaticism to achieve a stunning and highly dramatic effect. The opening movement, Allegro energico, ma non troppo presto, is from its first notes full of passion. The cello rises from its lowest register, ever climbing with increased intensity. The piano interrupts briefly to release tension, but the cello comes back stronger yet. The big middle movement, Adagio, begins somberly and while it is not without feeling, its longer-lined melodies, are neither frenzied nor highly charged, thus providing a respite between the two outer movements which are. In the finale, Allegro ma non troppo, the piano leads off with a march-like theme which the cello takes up when it enters. The pace is controlled but soon the temperature rises to impassioned heights.