After titanic contributions to the cello sonata repertoire by Ludwig van Beethoven, few notable additions were made for several decades. Not until 1862 did the cello sonata re-emerge in the hands of Johannes Brahms. His peculiar First Sonata contains only three movements (the Adagio having been omitted for fear of the sonata being too lengthy) and a finale that all but defies formal analysis. Almost a quarter century passed before Brahms again returned to the cello sonata, this time in the key of F major. The second sonata is considerably more challenging for cellists and Brahms' treatment of the instrument is not the exclusively lyrical, sonorous melodies that one might expect. Rather, Brahms incorporates lots of rhythmic, motivic playing and pizzicato passages and rapid bariolage. A "third" cello sonata, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, is Paul Klengel's (whose cello-playing father was much admired by Brahms) transcription of the G major Violin Sonata.

The orchestral works Passacaglia, Ritual and (K)ein sommernachtstraum are all very well-conducted and beautifully recorded on this CD (as usual with BIS-records). The Malmö symphony orchestra specialized in Schnittke during the 80's, and that can be heard here. There is a great understanding to the sometimes very odd music.

Saint-Saëns's lovely First Cello Concerto is probably the only work on this disc most listeners are familiar with. The second, written after the turn of the century (1902), is somewhat more severe but also rewarding. The composer's famous Third Symphony is actually his fifth; this recording contains the first, a skillful if slight piece by a very gifted 20-year-old. The short Romance provides a charming interlude. Thedéen is an excellent cellist, and all the music is intimate enough in scale that Kantarow and his fine chamber orchestra can handle it with complete aplomb. Fine recorded sound.