Rita Strohl

Solitude

Solitude, a "romance sans parole" – as Rita Strohl (1865-1941) described the miniature in her handwritten catalogue raisonné – for violoncello and piano was written in 1887, but was not printed until ten years later with the subtitle Rêverie pour Piano et Violoncelle (ou Violon). On the recommendation of the publisher, the musician added the alternative instrumentation, violin and piano, to the print edition with a separate part for the sake of better saleability. The edition is based on this first edition. Small differences in phrasing have been retained, and the dynamics and notation have been carefully unified.

»Solitude« is a musical gem that makes sonorous use of the melodic possibilities of the instrument. After a lyrical beginning, the middle section brings a cantabile duo (between solo instrument and piano) with a passionate intensification, before a third part again spans the arc to the opening mood.