In 2023, following a recital in Geneva, Russian pianist Anastasiya Evsina and Brazilian cellist Raïff Dantas Barreto decided to produce an album entirely dedicated to composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, celebrating his 150th birth anniversary.

RACHMANINOFF: CELLO SONATA, OP. 19 & ROMANCES unveils the vocal nuances of the Russian composer’s melodies while exploring some of the most significant pieces in the repertoire of the instruments. At the end of the 20th century, Rachmaninoff experienced a serious crisis of confidence triggered by the disastrous debut of his first symphony, leading to a period of sparse productivity. Among the first major works that emerged following this period of convalescence is the “Cello Sonata in G Minor, Op. 19”, completed in November 1901. The piece is distinguished by its profound and technically challenging dialogue between the piano and cello. Dantas Barreto and Evsina demonstrate a natural affinity for the composer’s work, while also showcasing musicality, harmony, and virtuosity in their performance.

In addition to the sonata, the album features three romances originally written for voice and piano. “Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14”, one of the most iconic melodies in music history and the most famous of the 80+ songs composed by Rachmaninoff, stands out for its uniqueness as the only one without lyrics. The other two romances, transcribed and arranged for cello by Dantas Barreto, “Do Not Sing, My Beauty, Op. 4 No. 4”, and “The Dream, Op. 8 No. 5”, were inspired by poems by Russian authors.