'This recording was conceived with my long-time friend and marvellous pianist Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden - our musical partnership goes back more than twenty years - and it was made in these times when the world is sinking further into violence and hatred every day.

'Beethoven and Rolland, those great pacifists and humanists, are therefore the patrons of this recording of the complete works of Beethoven for cello and piano; their frequent calls for brotherhood through music resonate all the more strongly today.'

Michel Strauss is considered as one of the most accomplished French musicians of his Generation. Michel Strauss studied in France and the United States with Paul Tortellier, Maurice Gendron and Aldo Parisot. Cello teacher at the Conservatoire national Supérieur de Paris since 1987, he has trained many musicians of the new generation and set up a great number of cultural events and workshops in the United States, Asia the Netherlands and France to promote young performers.

His worldwide career led him to give concerts on all major international stages in Europe, but also in Australia, Canada and the United States including New York's Carnegie Hall.

In recent years, his presence on stage and in the cultural life of China and Korea has grown considerably. Michel Strauss now teaches at the Central Conservatory of Beijing in addition to his positions at the Conservatoire national Supérieur de Paris and at the Royal Conservatoire in the Hague.

Michel Strauss is the founder and Artistic Director of the Musique de chambre à Giverny Festival.