"French cellist Emmanuelle Bertrand follows up her critically acclaimed debut disc for Harmonia Mundi with Liszt’s cello and piano works (chiefly transcriptions) and a brilliantly impassioned realisation of the Sonate de concert by Charles-Valentin Alkan. This formidably taxing work was written in 1856 for the cello virtuoso Franchomme, for whom Chopin had previously composed his own valedictory Sonata. It demands enormous stamina and masterful technique. Bertrand possesses both, with the courage, flair and insight required to make this patchwork of Semitic introspection and inflammatory virtuosity take flight. Her rapturous treatment of the deeply contemplative Adagio is very fine indeed...Bertrand is on magisterial form throughout this rarity... Bertrand’s eruptive Alkan performance is astounding, however, and unrivalled in the catalogue." - BBC Music Magazine *****/****

This title was released for the first time in 2001.