This first complete recording of Roger Reynolds’ cello works is being released to celebrate the composer’s 80th birthday. This special 2-CD set contains many first recordings.

French cellist Alexis Descharmes and Reynolds have a close artistic relationship which led to this composer-supervised set. Alexis Descharmes is an internationally regarded musician and specialist in contemporary music. He has worked with the Ensemble Intercontemporain, Ensemble Alternance and Ensemble Court-circuit and collaborates regularly with IRCAM. Dedicatee of some 50 contemporary works, concertante and solo alike, Alexis Descharmes’ discography consists of 20 recordings. He is joined here by leading French musicians and the Ensemble Court-circuit.

The works are interspersed with Roger Reynolds’ effective recitations from texts which influenced the composition of the pieces. Works for cello solo, cello & piano, cello & violin and cello & ensemble are featured. Liner notes by Reynolds and Descharmes.