This third CD in a unique series of “French Cello Sonatas” presents two works from the Romantic period, the cello sonatas by Louise Farrenc (1804-1875) and Charles-Valentin Alkan (1813-1888). The sonata by Alkan is a bold, substantial work in rich romantic idiom. Alkan’s superhu- man pianism is reflected in the challenging piano part. The works of female composer Louise Farrenc receive more and more recognition nowadays. Her Cello Sonata is a full blooded romantic work, a gem in the genre. Marina Tarasova is one of the most renowned cellists of today: ‘Her playing is generous in tone, full-blooded in expression, passionate and confident, evidently fired by love for and commitment to the music.’ Gramophone. She is winner of international com- petitions in Prague, Florence, Paris, and a laureate of the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow. She began playing the cello at the age of six and studied at the Gnessin School with Alexander Fedorchenko and at the Moscow Conservatoire with Natalia Shakhovskaya. Her vast repertoire spans the 17th century to the present day. She has worked with many renowned musicians, such as Mikhail Pletnev, Mariss Jansons, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Kurt Masur, Eduard Grach and Yuri Bashmet. Marina Tarasova’s piano partner is the excellent Ivan Sokolov. The first volume of French Cello Sonatas (BC96566) presented works by Gabriel Pierné (1863-1937), Édouard Lalo (1823-1892) and Charles Koechlin (1867-1959); the second volume... Vincent D’Indy (1851-1931), Léon Boëllmann (1862-1897) and Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937)(BC96821).