R. Strauss, Thuille: Cello Sonatas Andrea Favalessa & Maria Semeraro

• Richard Strauss (1864 - 1949): Cello Sonata in F Major, TrV 115:
• 1 I. Allegro con brio 10:21
• 2 II. Andante ma non troppo 08:11
• 3 III. Finale - Allegro vivo 08:25
• 4 Romanze for Cello and Piano in F Major, TrV 118 09:43
• Ludwig Thuille (1861 - 1907): Cello Sonata in D Minor, Op. 22:
• 5 I. Allegro energico, ma non troppo 09:44
• 6 II. Adagio 11:32
• 7 III. Finale, allegro ma non troppo 06:32
• Total Runtime 01:04:28

Info for R. Strauss, Thuille: Cello Sonatas

Between Richard Strauss and Ludwig Thuille (born in 1864 and 1861 respectively) existed a strong friendship and mutual respect. Their two youthful cello sonatas share the same idiom: passionate and lateromantic soaring themes, a profound lyricism and a virtuoso writing for both cello and piano.

Performed with an appropriate sense of exaltation and grandeur by cellist Andrea Favalessa and pianist Maria Semeraro, who form a duo for many years, having won several international chamber music competitions.

The duo Favalessa Semeraro already successfully recorded the complete music for cello and piano by Alfredo Casella for Brilliant Classics ( 94823).

Andrea Favalessa, cello
Maria Semeraro, piano

Andrea Favalessa
Active as a chamber musician and as a soloist, Andrea Favalessa, he graduated in 2001 with full marks and honors at the "G. Verdi "in Milan under the guidance of Maestro M. Bernardin, and in February 2006 he received the second-level academic diploma in the same Conservatory with honors and praise.

He has participated in various master classes with teachers such as: E. Dindo, M. Brunello, PN Masi, D. Geringas, R. Filippini.

He has won several awards as a soloist in national and international competitions, including first prize at the international competition "Rovere d'Oro" St. Bartholomew, the second prize at the International Competition "S. Omizzolo "of Padua; in November 2011 he was awarded the first prize at the International Cello Competition for Contemporary Music "V. Bucchi "in Rome and in June 2012 he won first prize at the International Competition" G. Zinetti "of Sangli.

In March 2002 he was awarded the bronze medal to the Merit of Culture and Art by the President of the Italian Republic.

He collaborates as a principal cellist with the Orchestra Regionale Toscana, the Orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, the 'Mozart Orchestra of Bologna, the Orchestra of the Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa.

She collaborates with the Orchestra of the Teatro alla Scala, the Orchestra Filarmonica della Scala, the 'Orchestra Sinfonica Nazionale della RAI and the' Orchestra of Italian Switzerland.

From 2000 to 2003 he was a member of EUYO (European Union Youth Orchestra) and played with important directors in the main European concert halls.

A lifelong passion for chamber music has played with musicians such as Bruno Canino, F. Petracchi, K. Sahatci; Moreover, since 2004 collaborates with the pianist Maria Semeraro with whom he has won several prizes in national and international competitions such as the first prize in the European competition "Duchi D'Acquaviva" of Atri, the first prize and the special prize for the sonata Sandro Fuga in the national competition "S.Fuga" in Turin, the second prize at the international competition "Città di Pinerolo", the first prize at the international competition "Guido Papini" di Camaiore. In March of 2014 he was released a CD dedicated to their music for cello and piano by Alfredo Casella for the label Brilliant Cassics.

He has performed in various halls and theaters including Venice (Teatro Malibran), Milan (Teatro dal Verme), Buenos Aires (Teatro Coliseu), Imola, Brescia (Auditorium San Barnaba), Bergamo (Piatti Sala), Gradara, Cervo (Piazza Corallini for the chamber music festival), Bologna (Accademia Filarmonica), Trento (Philharmonic Society), Rome (Discoteca di Stato), Padua (Auditorium C. Polini for the Friends of music), Verona (Hall Maffeiana Academy Philharmonic), Ravenna (Teatro Alighieri).

He made his debut as soloist with the Orchestra of the Assumption in Vigentino and later worked as a soloist with the Orchestra of the Musical Afternoons, the 'Philharmonic Orchestra of the Conservatory and the' Chamber Orchestra of Brescia.

In 2002 he recorded with pianist Simone Pioneers Sonata op.38 by Brahms for Stradivarius.

As a member of the ISCM (Italian Society of Contemporary Music) he has performed world premieres and recorded for the record company McHarmony, music for solo cello by E. Morricone, P. Arata, S. Bo, M. Di Gesu. For the contemporary repertoire he has also collaborated with the Divertimento Ensemble and the 'MDI ensemble.

Andrea Favalessa plays a cello built by Carlo Loveri in 1884.

Booklet for R. Strauss, Thuille: Cello Sonatas