Peter Oakes and Sally Flann

Rachmaninov . . . .Cello Sonata
Stravinsky . . . . . .Suite Italienne

Rachmaninov’s cello sonata was completed in 1901, just a month after the first performance of his second piano concerto. The two works display the composer’s unique ability to write music of vast emotional range, influenced by the rich atmosphere of turn-of-the-century Russia.

Stravinsky wrote his successful and witty neo-Classical ballet Pulcinella in 1919. As with many ballet scores, the music later became the basis of numerous concert suites. In this case, the arrangements for cello and piano were made in collaboration with the cellist, Gregor Piatigorsky, and given the title Suite Italienne.