The works on this recording reflect the richness of the cello repertoire from the late 18th and early 19th Centuries. Mozart's unfinished Sonata movement in Bb, is here, having been completed by Annette Isserlis. Works by his pupils include: J N Hummel's Variations alla Monférine Op.54 and Wölfl's Sonata in D Op. 31 are both beautifully crafted and make virtuoso demands on the performers. Together with the exquisite Mozart inspired sonata by Hélène Liebmann, this is a CD of exhillarating and unjustly neglected masterpieces. Cello Classics' founder Sebastian Comberti and fortepianist Maggie Cole play on instruments of the period bringing these works to light in all their true colours.

This rare collection of works offers an insight into the creative heritage of the great cellists of the past as composers and arrangers. 'Virtuoso Cello Transcriptions'combines highly virtuosic performing with a nostalgic look at the past, ranging from the baroque through to Schnittke. Since his studies with Nikitin and Shafran, and following early successes at competitions in Paris and Geneva, Leonid Gorokhov has been in great demand as soloist with orchestras throughout Europe. A large discography for Melodya and Supraphon has won many plaudits and his recent CD 'Russian Discoveries' was voted Record of the Month by London's Classic FM. 'Between the mercurial movements, such as Frescobaldi¹s Toccata, we can enjoy Gorokhov¹s smooth and lyrical qualities in the slow movements, the elegance of the Adagio in Locatelli's Sonata being of rare beauty. His bowing technique is so wonderfully fluid, Weber's Adagio being just one of the examples of his seamless legato.' The Strad August 2001 'Especially good however is the trilogy of Popper showpieces in which Gorokhov shows himself a deftly spirited advocate. A promising start for a new label that's certain to excite cello devotees, and whose promised historical bias should also have general wider appeal.' Michael Jameson, BBC Music Magazine August 2001

Including recently discovered works recorded here for the first time. Première Recording* For the first release, Cello Classics has chosen to bring out something of a coup, in hitherto unplayed works by the first great composer for the cello to achieve universal recognition, Luigi Boccherini. Three of the sonatas on this disc have been obtained from manuscripts until recently in a private collection, and provide a wonderful addition to the classical cello repertoire. Sebastian Comberti has been involved in the period instrument revival in London since the early 1980s and has made the study of late 18th Century cello repertoire something of a speciality. This recording has been made using original instruments with a continuo team unusually comprising archlute/guitar and cello, providing a rich and yet light accompaniment to these delightful works. It is bound to be of interest to lovers of the cello and scholars alike

Inspirales features works written and inspired by the great cellist-composers of the past, from Fitzenhagen and Popper through to Tortelier and Rostropovich. Zori himself has a contributed a dazzling "Carmeniana' based on Bizet's Carmen, and recorded here for the first time. Hailed by the renowned cellist Bernard Greenhouse to have 'all of the wonderful attributes of a young Emanuel Feuerman,'Hillel Zori has distinguished himself by winning coveted prizes in many international competitions, and enjoys a distinguished career as soloist as well as a member of the Israel Piano Trio.

Brahms: Piano Quintet in F Minor, Op. 34 - Weber: String Qui

One of the worlds most respected and recorded cellists, Raphael Wallfisch, in his first recording for Cello Classics, turns his attention to works inspired and written by the great Belgian violinist Eugene Ysaÿe During the years he spent in Paris, from 1883 to 1886, Ysaÿe formed close ties with many great composers of the day, receiving the dedication of Franck's Sonata in A, and commissioning what is probably the best known work by Guillaume Lekeu, himself a pupil of Franck. In addition to the many works for his own instrument, cellists are fortunate to have two works written by Ysaÿe, his Solo Sonata Op. 28 and the Rêve d'Enfant

Capriccioso

The Hungarian Emanuel Moór enjoyed huge success in Europe at the beginning of the 20C, associated with the great musicians of the day, writing for Ysaÿe, Cortot, Thibaud and Casals, who called him 'a genius'. Two sonatas, dedicated to Piatti and to Casals are heard alongside the 1909 Quartet for 4 cellos, first performed by Pablo Casals, Joseph Salmon, André Hekking and Diran Alexanian. Today this music is largely neglected, and this Cd, recorded by artists who have embraced the works and re-introduced them to the concert public, will help to restore the reputation of a once revered composer. Programme essay by Andrew Stewart.

Directed by Andre Delacroix. Starring William Pleeth.