Apart from masterworks such as the six suites by Johann Sebastian Bach, very few pieces were written for solo cello until the 20th century. The cello first became popular as a solo instrument from 1900 onwards, at which time famous works such as the suites by Max Reger and the solo sonatas by Zoltán Kodály were written.
In the second half of the 20th century it was famous cellists who were to make the greatest contribution to ongoing development of the solo repertoire; cellists such as Mstislav Rostropovich und Siegfried Palm inspired numerous composers to write pieces for them, for example the suites by Britten and “Capriccio per Siegfried Palm” by Penderecki.
Alongside performances with chamber ensembles and orchestras, I have mainly focussed my attention on the discovery, study and performance of music for violoncello solo. In my concerts I try to provide the audience with an exciting experience by selecting entertaining and thought-provoking programmes (also with an explanation of the works in question, if desired).