Lied Haga and Apekisheva deliver a remarkable performance of two powerful cello sonatas. César Franck (1822-1890) composed his violin sonata (later also published as a cello sonata) when he was 63 years old (1886). The Sonata is one of his most famous works. Franck was among the foremost romantic composers in France and distinguished himself with his focus on instrumental music, at a time when opera was dominant. The organ was his instrument and workplace, which gave the music a sublime and otherworldly quality. For Lied Haga, Franck’s sonata is the ultimate masterpiece for cello and piano.
The composer and pianist Rita Strohl (1865-1941) is less well-known. However, her music has recently received increased interest. Strohl was a highly respected composer in her time, composing chamber music, symphonic and lyrical works, as well as a number of romances. Sandra was immediately captivated when she discovered the magnificent cello sonata by chance in 2019. The work, which is based on the story of Titus and Bèrènice, is romantic and dramatic, and very challenging to play as it spans the entire range of the cello.
Unfortunately, past female composers such as Clara Schumann and Fanny Mendelssohn lived in the shadow of their husbands and brothers. Music history has paid too little attention to Rita Strohl, who had no known male composers in her family. With this recording, Sandra Lied Haga aims to bring Rita Strohl as a composer to the fore and give her the recognition she deserves.
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Reviews
“Sandra Lied Haga – who has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading cellists in a remarkably short time – produces an absolutely convincing reading of the piece…..”
“…I find my ear drawn in by the inventiveness of our two musicians – the opening, for example, seems to be whispered into the listener’s ear, so that when the dynamic opens out, it has the force of revelation. The rest of the Sonata unfolds in a manner as inventive as it is passionate – the end of the first movement will bowl you over in its intensity.”
“…..this has to be one of the market-leaders.”
Martin Anderson, KlassiskMusikk.com, June 2023
Full Review: https://www.klassiskmusikk.com/cd-anmeldelser/sandra-lied-haga-1/
«…..the rising cello star Sandra Lied Haga….»
«The greatness of Lied Haga’s playing is her sound. It is extremely beautiful, bright and free, sometimes like a violin tone. The lump in the throat that cellos often have, the one that prevents the tone from breathing properly and singing freely, is absent. She uses a generous vibrato on all notes where there is time for it. This makes the cello sound great»
“You immediately hear how beautiful Lied Haga plays…..If you for example listen to Maisky’s recording from 1983, you know what I mean. His cello sound is much less beautiful than Lied Haga’s. Truly…..”
Vårt Land, Tore Hegdahl 04/07/2023
Full Review: https://www.vl.no/kultur/anmeldelse/2023/07/04/kunsten-a-komme-naer/
6 of 6 stars!
“The playing is beautiful, intense and full of colour. One is both impressed and happy to hear such virtuosity!”
– Trond Erikson, Den Klassiske Musikkbloggen, May 14th 2023
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“…superb playing. Lied Haga has a mellow, appealing tone and a scrupulous sense of line, and is more than equal to Strohl’s demands for expressive and dynamic subtlety across the cello’s entire range.”
“Lied Haga and Apekisheva do excellent things with the Franck…”
“…they give the music space to expand and breathe. Lied Haga’s unforced lyricism is particularly attractive in both the opening Allegretto and the slow movement, and she balances sweep and excitement with elegance elsewhere”
“It’s a beautiful performance…”
Gramophone July 2023
“…Lied Haga’s playing style is assured and relaxed, capable of portraying both the intensity of emotion between the anguished lovers and the elegant fripperies of the scherzo…An eloquent performance of Franck’s Sonata…Lied Haga and Apekisheva demonstrate a sensitive rapport…”
“…deeply moving”
The Strad, August 2023, Janet Banks
Full Review:https://www.thestrad.com/reviews/sandra-lied-haga-franck-strohl/16680.article
“Sandra Lied Haga und ihre Partnerin Katya Apekisheva am Klavier interpretieren das stattliche Werk mit viel Verve, aber auch angemessener Sensibilitàt, wobei die Cellistin mit ihrem warmen, noblen Ton fur sich einnimmt.”
“Eine echte Entdeckung”
– Pedro Obiera, Aachener Zeitung May 2023
Full Review: Aachener Zeitung
Sandra Lied Haga 