Bernhard Romberg: Sonaten für Harfe & Cello op.5 Nr.1-3

"Farewell, great artist. Truly your Beethoven," thus ends a letter Beethoven wrote to his friend Romberg on 12 February 1822. The two were indeed friends and Beethoven admired and respected Romberg greatly as a musician and composer. The three sonatas op. 5 for harp and cello (or violin), which were published in Paris in 1803. These compositions are essentially three large concertante sonatas, each divided into three movements. The musical material is evenly distributed between the two instruments, creating a constant dialogue between them. The composition stands on the edge of virtuosity for its time. Romberg occupies an indelible place in history, not only because of his musical importance, but also because of all the innovations he brought to cello technique, didactics and even the construction of the instrument itself.