Duo (Schumann, Debussy, Shostakovich, Brahms)

Two of today's most passionate and inspirational artists join forces in the recital programme that brought audiences to their feet at the Menuhin Festival in Gstaad in Summer 2011. The chemistry between Helene Grimaud and Sol Gabetta left critics and audiences nothing short of euphoric and this first duo recording captures the revelatory magic of their collaboration.

This is the first time, that either artist has embarked on a dedicated duo recording project and it goes far beyond a traditional musical collaboration. Based on a rare understanding on many levels - musical, emotional and personal, this fresh and strong encounter does not even raise the question of who accompanies whom. Finding new musical insights in familiar work, Helene and Sol present masterpieces in new light.

The album reprises the same programme the duo performed in Gstaad: Robert Schumanns Fantasiestucke, Claude Debussys Sonata for Cello and Piano in D minor, Johannes Brahms Sonata for Cello and Piano No.1 in E minor and Dmitri Shostakovichs Sonata for Cello and Piano.

Like Grimaud, in addition to performing traditional repertoire with the worlds great orchestras, Sol Gabetta is a champion of new works and a passionate musical collaborator. Argentine-French of Russian origin, Sol is a best-selling, chart-storming artist, who is regarded as one of the great cellists of our day, impressing with her intriguing, full-bodied approach and a charismatic, conquering personality.