Beethoven Sonatas and Variations for Cello and Piano was conceived with my long-time friend and marvelous pianist Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden — our musical partnership goes back more than twenty years — and it was made in these times when the world is sinking further into violence and hatred every day. Beethoven and Rolland, those great pacifists and humanists, are therefore the patrons of this recording of the complete works of Beethoven for cello and piano; their frequent calls for brotherhood through music resonate all the more strongly today.
– Michel Strauss

Cellist considered as one of the most accomplished French musicians of his generation, Michel Strauss studied in France and the United States with Paul Tortellier, Maurice Gendron and Aldo Parisot. Cello teacher at the Conservatoire national supérieur de Paris since 1987, he has trained many musicians of the new generation and set up a great number of cultural events and workshops in the United States, Asia the Netherlands and France to promote young performers.

Principal Cello for the Nouvel Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio-France from 1980 to 1990, Mr. Strauss performed with many orchestras in France and abroad, and has interpreted many concertos dedicated to him. As a chamber musician, he has collaborated with several artists including Henriette Puig-Roget, Tibor Varga, Gérad Jarry, Serge Collot, Jean-Claude Pennetier, Ivry Gitlis, Maria Belooussova, Jean-Claude Vanden-Eynden, and the legendary Sándor Végh. His worldwide career led him to give concerts on all major international stages in Europe, but also in Australia, Canada and the United-States including New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Michel Strauss, Cello
Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, Piano