Little is known about the cellist and composer Johann Stiastny, and what is known contradicts each other in the sources. František Jan Št’astný, also known as Jean Stiasny or, indeed, Johann Stiastny, was probably born in Prague around 1764; the date and place of his death are unknown. Already in the 1920s, Wasiliewski called his music “of such a nature that they may be counted among the better products of the older cello literature, just as they contain effects quite new for that time”. Alexander Hülshoff and Martin Rummel, two celebrated cellists of our time, present premiere recordings of the first instalment of Stiastny’s music for two violoncellos. It is obvious that this release marks a milestone in the discovery of genuine duo repertoire for two violoncellos as these works have the potential to become favorites among cellists. This album is a must for cello lovers and for collectors of rare 18th century repertoire.

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Recording: Schloss Weinberg, Kefermarkt/Austria, 17 & 18 June 2021.