Fortissima: Review of Raphaela Gromes’ New Album
Here are reviews of Raphaela Gromes’ book and double album “Fortissima”, published on September 10, 2025 (book, Goldmann Verlag) and September 12, 2025 (album, Sony Classical). For more details about the album and book, please refer to our previous news. »» more information
About the Album
“Jaëll sounds like Jaëll in every note, the thematic material is dreamlike, the instrumentation wonderfully colorful – and this is particularly striking because it is played so well.”
“Raphaela Gromes cannot be praised highly enough for rescuing these works from obscurity and for playing them with such dedication, which can be heard throughout. Thanks to this album, there is a real chance that these works will finally find their deserved place in music history and the standard repertoire for cello.”
WDR 3 Hörstoff, September, 17th 2025, Nele Freudenberger
"What a cello sound, what intensity! On ”Fortissima," Raphaela Gromes succeeds in paying long-overdue tribute to female musicians for whom composing was not a hobby but a deep need, she was the first to master all the technical challenges! and set the tempos, worked out the fingerings, and balanced the sound with the orchestra"
SR Kultur, September 14th 2025, Gabi Szarvas
About the Book
“Fortissima is another important book about female composers and the realities of their lives. The text is not only informative and well researched, but also a gripping read thanks to its personal tone and accessible, entertaining style. This makes it particularly suitable for people who want to learn more about the subject, and hopefully more and more people will do so."
SWR Kultur „Treffpunkt Klassik“, September 12th 2025, Hannah Schmidt