Albert Dietrich (1829-1908)
Sonate pour piano et violoncelle, op. 15
Introduction et Romance pour piano et violoncelle, op. 27
6 Pièces pour piano, op. 6
4 Pièces pour piano, op. 2

Alexander Will, violoncelle
Friedrich Thomas, piano

Inutile de gloser longtemps envers la musique d'Albert Dietrich : s'il n'est pas question de remettre en cause la validité musicale de son oeuvre, force est de reconnaître que les oeuvres présentées ici n'ont qu'un défaut, celui de vivre en permanence dans l'ombre de Schumann et de Brahms dont il était très proche. Un mélange des deux en quelque sorte, parfaitement inscrit dans le romantisme allemand du milieu du 19 ème siècle, et symbolisé par l’oeuvre collective qu'il écrivit justement avec eux, la fameuse sonate F.A.E. Alexandre Will et Friedrich Thomas suivent donc cette musique sans lui donner un vrai tempérament. A l'impossible nul n'est tenu. Méritoire mais pour les collectionneurs curieux de la période. (Nicolas Mesnier-Nature)

Today Albert Dietrich continues to be known above all as the composer of the introductory allegro movement of the »F-A-E Sonata« (a joint project with Brahms and Schumann). However, our release of Dietrich’s symphony and violin concerto has shown that his previously unknown music is more than just an ordinary discovery. Even during his later years as the Oldenburg court music director (1861-91) he was a highly esteemed composer whose works were frequently performed. The fact that Brahms valued him very highly not only as a friend – whom he quite often visited in Oldenburg in order to have the opportunity to play music with him – but also as a composer further attests to his quality. Dietrich’s impressive works for violoncello and piano form the focus of this recording, which also includes pieces for piano solo. His Sonata for Piano and Violoncello covers a broad spectrum – from the first movement alternating between lyricism and inner turmoil, through the powerful and energetic second movement, to the exuberant vibrancy of the last movement, which opens with a thematically intricate, gloomy cadenza.