For unaccompanied violin.

First came Johann Sebastian Bach's sonatas and partitas, then Nicolã Paganini's caprices. Now, with the op. 27 sonatas of Eugène Ysae, the key works in the repertoire for unaccompanied violin are available in urtext editions from Henle. Ysae peppered these challenging works with extraordinary difficulties, dedicating each of them to a virtuoso violinist of his day and tailoring it to suit his special capabilities. Thanks to newly discovered source material, we are able to present a definitive text that in many respects supersedes the previously available text from the first edition.

Johann Sebastian Bach's Sonatas and Partitas, Nicolò Paganini's Capricci and the Sonatas op. 27 by Eugène Ysae - the key works in the repertoire for unaccompanied violin are available in Urtext editions from Henle, and now also in handy, reasonably priced study editions (Paganini: HN 9450, Bach: HN 9356)! Ysae peppered these challenging works with extraordinary difficulties, dedicating each of them to a virtuoso violinist of his day and tailoring it to suit his special capabilities. We are proud to present a definitive musical text that in many respects goes beyond the musical text from the first edition, that is still around today.

Ysae's Cello Sonata, unlike its companion piece for violin solo, has remained relatively unknown. All the same, it merits special attention as it was written at the same time as the Violin Sonatas and has the same superior qualities of musicianship. Our edition draws on a previously disregarded autograph manuscript from a private collection that provides interesting insights not found in the original print. To accompany the publication of Ysae's violin sonatas, which Henle will also issue in 2004, we are now offering the Cello Sonata in an urtext edition prepared by Christian Bellisario with detailed editorial comments. A brilliant addition to the repertoire for unaccompanied string instruments.