Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata (I. Allegro Moderato)

Swedish cellist Frans Helmerson was born in 1945 and began playing the cello at the age of eight . After studies in Gothenburg, Rome and London, followed by a debut in Stockholm, his solo career has taken him on countless tours all over Europe as well as the USA, Asia and Russia. He has perfomed with many of the finest orchestras under the baton of some of today's greatest conductors.

He is also renowned throughout the world as one of the great teachers of the cello. He holds professorships at the Musikhochschule in Cologne, wher he is based, and at the Escuela Superior de Musica Reina Sohia in Madrid. He is also a regular teacher at the Verbier Festival Academy.

Originally composed for arpeggione and piano, this sonata was certainly a commission from Schubert's friend and talented guitarist Vincenz Schuster, passionate about the arpeggione. With its six plucked strings, played with a bow, and tuned like a guitar, there are only a dozen of them left in the world. This work is mainly performed with a cello, a viola or sometimes even a double bass.

In partnership with The Masterclass Media Foundation Archives, which provides a valuable educational resource in order to perpetuate musical passion and knowledge from one generation to another. [MMF034]