Importance and Pedagogical Value of Three Sonatas Op. 43 by B. Romberg

The Three Sonatas for Two Cellos, Op. 43 were composed as a progressive performance work. The most widely used copy of the work is a C. F. Peters, Leipzig Edition edited by Grützmacher. In this edition, the Sonatas are exhaustively marked with all possible technical and performance markings. The combination of Romberg's melodic and pedagogically perfect compositions and Grützmacher's expert editorial work results in invaluable educational and performance work. Each subsequent sonata presents bigger challenge for a player while each preceding one also serves as a training tool for successful mastering of the following one. The Opus 43 is a set of individually viable sonatas that can stand independently and still serve as useful learning material. Grützmacher's respect for Romberg's style and his clear vision of pedagogical benefits are reflected in logical sequence of fingering and bowing challenges. Precise and complete performance markings serve as an essential guiding tool navigating a player towards a successful performance. If learned and performed as a set, these Sonatas are an excellent and beautiful progressive performance piece of music of an enormous pedagogical value.