OUT NOW | Cellist Matt Haimovitz' New CD: "Mon ami, mon amour"

Recorded with pianist Mari Kodama, the disc features a selection of pieces by French composers including Lili and Nadia Boulanger, Francis Poulenc, and Claude Debussy

Pentatone Records announced the release of Israeli cellist Matt Haimovitz' new album: "Mon ami, mon amour."

The disc includes Poulenc's Cello Sonata Op. 143, Fauré's "Papillon" Op. 77, and "Après un rêve" Op. 7 No. 1, Milhaud's "Élégie" Op. 251 (Version for Cello & Piano), Lili Boulanger's 2 Pieces for Violin & Piano (Arr. M. Haimovitz for Cello & Piano), Nadia Boulanger's "Trois pièces for cello and piano," Ravel's "2 Mélodies hébraïques" M. 22a, and Debussy's Cello Sonata in D Minor L 135.

"My friend and colleague Mari Kodama and I had been talking about recording together for years. After my cello suffered an unfortunate accident as I was teaching the Poulenc Sonata, I phoned Mari and we began plotting a program with Poulenc at the heart of a celebration of French composers," Matt told The Violin Channel.

"We made some wonderful discoveries along the way with Milhaud’s little-known Élegie from 1945 and gems by Nadia and Lili Boulanger. Mari has lived in Paris for years, and I have lived in Montréal for the last 15 years. We are Francophiles through and through."

"Much of this music is framed by the 20th Century’s two world wars. Poulenc was interrupted by WWII before he could complete his Cello Sonata. In our challenging and tumultuous times, I hope we, like these French composers, can realize our dreams and renew our shared joie de vivre."

Mon ami, mon amour

Matt Haimovitz, cello

Mari Kodama, piano

Label: Pentatone

Release Date: November 6, 2020