Bach and Mendelssohn Sonatas for Violoncello and Pianoforte played by MAY MUKLE and ANN MUKLE
THE modern popularity of the violoncello as a solo instrument is said to have been very large due to the great advance in the technical resources of the instrument developed by Pablo Casals-probably the greatest executant in the history of 'cello-playing. Before him, Piatti, a contemporary of Joachim, was perhaps the most famous.
Of late years, however, the repertory, which was neither great nor very important in the nineteenth century, has been considerably increased, not only by the distinguished composers of today, but by delving into the past, particularly the past of Vivaldi, Boccherini, and their contemporaries. Of the great masters, only Beethoven, Schumann, Chopin, and Brahms have written sonatas for 'cello and piano. The most important contribution to the repertory of recent years is the concerto for violoncello and orchestra composed by Eigar immediately after the war.