Brahms two main works for cello, his two cello sonatas, were composed at different times in his life. The first was composed 1862-1866. It was dedicated to Josef Gänsbacher, a music professor and amateur cellist. The story goes that when he played it with Brahms in a private session, the composer was hammering the piano so loud, he complained he couldn’t hear his cello at all. Lucky for you, too, grumbled Brahms. The second was composed 20 years later, and dedicated to the famous cellist Robert Hausmann.
Both compositions are superb works for the combination of cello and piano. Brahms experimented with the combination, and created a good balance, with the piano giving structure to an emotional cello. Both works are so expanded, they’re like symphonies in chamber setting.