A.F. Servais / H. Léonard: Grand duo de Concert No. 2 (Eichhorn, Hülshoff)

BUY / STREAM: Adrien François Servais, dubbed the ‘Paganini of the cello’, collaborated with three of the greatest violin virtuosi of his time, the Belgians Joseph Ghys, Henry Vieuxtemps and Hubert Léonard, to create the six duets for violin and cello. Whether based on the British national anthem or Yankee Doodle, on music by Beethoven or Meyerbeer, or on original themes, these duets abound in virtuosic demands including double stops, harmonics, simultaneous cadenzas and astonishing passage work, generating almost orchestral textures which embody the Romantic love of display and heightened emotionalism. ‘Servais ensured that his works were at the very least a partnership of true equals, if not every-so-often favoring the cello. Hülshoff and Eichhorn brilliantly capture this notion with their impeccable sense of balance, pristine and polished intonation (even in extensive passages played entirely in unison), and crisp articulation.’ – About the Artists: One of th