Cello Sonata No. 2 (Saint-Saëns)
| Cello Sonata No. 2 | |
|---|---|
| Cello sonata by Camille Saint-Saëns | |
| Key | F major |
| Opus | 123 |
| Composed | March 1905 |
| Dedication | Jules Griset |
| Published | July 1905 (Durand) |
| Movements | four |
| Scoring |
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| Premiere | |
| Date | April 13, 1905 (private) October 27, 1905 (public) |
| Location | Albert Blondel's home, Paris (private) Salle de la Société philharmonique, Niort (public) |
| Performers |
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The Cello Sonata No. 2 in F major, Op. 123, is a cello sonata by Camille Saint-Saëns. It was composed in 1905 during the composer's stay in Biskra, Algeria, and was written nearly 30 years after his first cello sonata. The sonata was dedicated to Jules Griset, a long-time friend of the composer, and was first performed privately by cellist Joseph Hollmann and Saint-Saëns himself before receiving its public premiere by Auguste Tolbecque and Aline Riffaud.
The work features contrasting themes, intricate interplay between the two instruments, and a range of expressive and technical demands. The first movement, Maestoso largamente, presents two distinct musical ideas, while the second movement, a Scherzo con variazioni, consists of eight variations on a lively theme. The third movement, a lyrical Romanza, focuses on the cello's expressive qualities, and the finale, Allegro non troppo grazioso, concludes the work with a graceful and playful dialogue between the instruments.
Despite Saint-Saëns's efforts to promote the sonata and its positive reception among critics and performers, it did not achieve the same level of popularity as his first cello sonata during his lifetime.