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Home , Cello sonata, Jules Delsart, Jules Pasdeloup, Kristin Merscher, Paul Tortelier, Steven Isserlis

Charming

BEST LOVED GABRIEL SCHWABE © HNH International Ltd 8.578173 classical cello music Charming Cello the 20th century. His Sérénade espagnole decisive influence on Stravinsky, starting a Best loved classical cello music uses a harp and plucked strings in its substantial neo-Classical period in his writing. A timeless collection of cello music by some of the world’s greatest composers – orchestration, evoking Spain in what might including Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, Vivaldi and others. have been a recollection of Glazunov’s visit 16 Goodall: And the is Love (excerpt) to that country in 1884. ‘And the Bridge is Love’ is a quotation from Thornton Wilder’s novel The Bridge of 1 6 (1685–1750) Franz (1732–1809) 14 Ravel: Pièce en forme de habanera San Luis Rey which won the Pulitzer Prize Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, 2:29 in C major, 9:03 (arr. P. Bazelaire) in 1928. It tells the story of the collapse BWV 1007 – I. Prelude Hob.VIIb:1 – I. Moderato Swiss by paternal ancestry and Basque in 1714 of ‘the finest bridge in all Peru’, Csaba Onczay (8.550677) Maria Kliegel • Cologne Chamber Orchestra through his mother, combined killing five people, and is a parable of the Helmut Müller-Brühl (8.555041) 2 Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835–1921) his two lineages in a synthesis that became struggle to find meaning in chance and in Le des animaux – 3:07 7 (1810–1856) quintessentially French. His Habanera, inexplicable tragedy. This work for solo cello XIII. Le Cygne (‘The Swan’) 5 Stücke im Volkston 2:39 well known in a number of arrangements, and strings is composed in loving memory Gabriel Schwabe • Malmö Symphony Orchestra (‘5 Pieces in Folk Style’), Op. 102 was originally composed for in of a teenage cellist, Hannah Ryan, the Marc Soustrot (8.573737) (ver. for cello and piano) – No. 1. Mit Humor 1897. It makes use of a Cuban dance- daughter of close friends to the composer, Gabriel Schwabe • Nicholas Rimmer (8.573786) form popularised by Sebastián Yradier, who died tragically in September 2007. 3 (1678–1741) a composer to whom was Concerto for Two in G minor, 3:33 8 Gabriel FAURÉ (1845–1924) RV 531 – I. Allegro 3 Mélodies, Op. 7 – 2:58 indebted in his Spanish-themed opera 17 Elgar: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 – . I. Adagio – Moderato Raphael Wallfisch• Keith Hurvey No. 1. Après un rêve (arr. P. Casals) Carmen City of London Sinfonietta Ina-Esther Joost Ben-Sasson ’s iconic Cello Concerto was Nicholas Kraemer (8.550908) Allan Sternfield (8.570545) 15 Stravinsky: Suite italienne – II. Serenata written at a time in which the end of World The Russian composer owed War I was casting its long shadow over 4 (1797–1828) 9 Sergey RACHMANINOV (1873–1943) much of his early success to the impresario Britain and the rest of Europe. Its intensely Arpeggione in A minor, 4:35 in G minor, Op. 19 – 6:11 Sergey Diaghilev, who commissioned The concentrated thematic material represents D. 821 – II. Adagio III. Andante Firebird for his Ballets russes, to be followed the economy of means Elgar had found Maria Kliegel • Kristin Merscher (8.550654) Michael Grebanier by Petrushka and, in 1913, the succès in his later chamber works, the grandiose Janet Goodman Guggenheim (8.550987) 5 (1770–1827) de scandale of The Rite of Spring. The nature of the first movement’s opening theme Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, 5:21 10 Johann Sebastian BACH Diaghilev-commissioned ballet Pulcinella, soon contrasting with that utmost tenderness Op. 69 – II. Scherzo: Allegro molto Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, 3:34 from which the Suite italienne is derived, to be found at its heart. Maria Kliegel • Nina Tichman (8.555786) BWV 1009 – V. Bourrée I and II was based on music attributed to Pergolesi. Dominy Clements Csaba Onczay (8.550677) Immersion in this 18th-century style had a © Naxos Rights (Europe) Ltd

8.578173 2 11 8.578173 the earth and ‘towards the light’, heard here friendship with the famous cellist Auguste in a transcription by that keeps Franchomme (1808–1884) brought about all of the original’s nostalgic charm. most of his chamber works for cello and piano. The Cello Sonata in G minor is a late 9 Rachmaninov: Cello Sonata in G minor, work, the three-part Scherzo of its second Op. 19 – III. Andante movement having a central Trio section with 11 Fryderyk CHOPIN (1810–1849) 14 Maurice RAVEL (1875–1937) We can thank Rachmaninov’s meeting sublime melodic delicacy. Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65 – 4:44 Pièce en forme de habanera 2:59 with the cellist Anatoli Brandukov for II. Scherzo: Allegro con brio (arr. P. Bazelaire) his few works with cello, of which this 12 Saint-Saëns: Allegro appassionato Franz Bartolomey • Madoka Inui (8.557708) Maria Kliegel • Raimund Havenith (8.557943) Sonata exemplifies the lyricism and deep in B minor, Op. 43 expressiveness of his most fertile years as a Camille Saint-Saëns was one of Western 12 Camille SAINT-SAËNS 15 Igor STRAVINSKY (1882–1971) composer. Full of yearning and nostalgia, music’s most extraordinary musical Allegro appassionato in B minor, 3:44 Suite italienne – II. Serenata 3:06 this Andante stands out as one of the most prodigies, and was a central part of the Op. 43 Tatjana Vassilieva • Yumiko Urabe (8.555762) Gabriel Schwabe • Malmö Symphony Orchestra romantic cello and piano duos ever written. Parisian scene for many decades. Founded 16 Marc Soustrot (8.573737) Howard GOODALL (b. 1958) in 1861, Jules Pasdeloup’s ‘Concerts And the Bridge is Love 5:49 10 J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, populaires’ offered music to audiences at 13 Alexander Konstantinovich Julian Lloyd Webber BWV 1009 – V. Bourrée I and II popularly affordable prices. Saint-Saëns GLAZUNOV (1865–1936) English Chamber Orchestra (8.573250) With the exception of the Preludes, each dedicated his Allegro appassionato to Two Pieces for cello and orchestra, 3:01 17 Edward ELGAR (1857–1934) of Bach’s Suites for cello solo consist of a the principal cellist of this organisation, Op. 20 – II. Sérénade espagnole: Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 – 8:57 variety of dances. The Bourrée is a French Jules Lasserre, delivering a restless scherzo Allegretto I. Adagio – Moderato duple-time dance in a moderate tempo in that affords a brilliant display of technical Alexander Rudin • Moscow Symphony Orchestra two sections, the first of which is repeated by dexterity from the soloist. Igor Golovschin (8.553932) Maria Kliegel • Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Michael Halász (8.550503) way of a conclusion. The second Bourrée in the Third Suite is set in the tonic minor key, 13 Glazunov: Two Pieces giving it an especially poignant feel. for cello and orchestra, Op. 20 – II. Sérénade espagnole: Allegretto 11 Chopin: Cello Sonata in G minor, Op. 65 – Alexander Glazunov was a significant and II. Scherzo: Allegro con brio influential figure, successfully reconciling Chopin was one of the greatest virtuoso nationalism and cosmopolitanism in Russian Total Timing: 76:19 pianists of his time and his compositions music and acting as a figurehead in music are almost exclusively for the piano. His education there in the first decades of

8.578173 10 3 8.578173 Charming Cello 4 Schubert: in A minor, but this resulted in a prolific output and Best loved classical cello music D. 821 – II. Adagio (excerpt) meant he had brilliant musicians such as the Originally written for a novelty instrument cellist Joseph Franz Weigl at his disposal. It People often cite the cello as their favourite and with varieties of nomadic tribes. The called the arpeggione, a form of bowed seems likely that this concerto had a special string instrument on account of its similarity da gamba, now familiar as part of period guitar, Schubert’s Sonata D. 821 is today festive significance, Haydn paying tribute to to the human voice, its warmth of tone, the ensembles, didn’t emerge until the end of the almost always heard performed with cello his patron in this first movement by quoting dramatic quality of its upper register and its 16th century. It was supported by a lower ‘leg’ or viola. Schubert was a composer of a theme from a congratulatory cantata directness of communication. Composers have hence ‘da gamba’. Like stringed instruments songs, and so it is hardly surprising that the (Hob.XXIVa:2) he had previously written for been attracted to its versatility, both for its today, the family members came in various sizes, gorgeous central Adagio takes the form of a the Prince’s name day. capability for great melodic expressiveness and from soprano to contra-bass, being collectively fine singing melody for the cello. an ability to function as a chamber ensemble’s known as ‘’. Played in small ensembles 7 Schumann: 5 Stücke im Volkston harmonic foundation with its lower register, or consorts, these instruments became hugely 5 Beethoven: Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, (‘5 Pieces in Folk Style’), Op. 102 qualities which can be heard in all of the best popular amongst the aristocracy in in Op. 69 – II. Scherzo: Allegro molto (version for cello and piano) – . The cello is always to be found the 18th century. Tuned in fourths but suffering Beethoven dedicated his Third Cello Sonata No. 1. Mit Humor in symphony orchestras, typically with eight to the disadvantage of never being standardised to his friend and patron Baron Ignaz von Schumann loved the cello but, apart from his twelve instruments depending on the size of the in terms of size and shape, the family Gleichenstein, who was an amateur cellist. Cello Concerto, the Fünf Stücke im Volkston orchestra. It is also an essential member of the otherwise shared several characteristics with an The two courted the sisters Anna and is his only surviving piece written specifically traditional as well as string quintets, instrument originally named the ‘violoncello’ in Therese Malfatti, the first of whom married for this instrument. It would seem that the title sextets, trios and mixed ensembles. the 16th century. This advanced to replace viols Gleichenstein in 1811, bringing his close Mit Humor carries a certain irony. Schumann by the mid-18th century. Its greater volume of friendship with Beethoven to an end. On the subtitled this movement ‘vanitas vanitatum’: Origins sound and versatility as both a solo instrument autograph of the sonata Beethoven wrote the comedy of mankind’s vanity placed The origins of the cello are hard to trace, since and as an ensemble member was built upon the words Inter lacrymas et luctus (‘Amid against the transience of life. there is such a wide variety of instruments that through technical improvements over the years; tears and sorrows’), but there is little sign of might claim to be a predecessor. Descriptions its strength increased to allow for greater tension such moods in this lively music. 8 Fauré: 3 Mélodies, Op. 7 – No. 1. Après un rêve of bowed string instruments tuned in a similar in the strings, which in turn developed from (arr. P. Casals for cello and piano) way to today’s cello, with each open string stretched gut to wire-bound strings. Both types of 6 Haydn: Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Gabriel Fauré’s musical language is sounding an interval of a fifth apart, can be string remain in use today for their differences in Hob.VIIb:1 – I. Moderato characterised by subtle changes of harmony found in the late 14th and 15th centuries, but timbre: gut strings giving a more intimate sound, Joseph Haydn has long held the well-earned and a gift for melody expressed in numerous truly ancient ancestors of the modern cello seem whilst wire-bound strings, especially those with a status as a father-figure in the history of songs. Après un rêve became one of his to have originated in India and the Far East, steel core, provide greater volume and projection music. He spent much of his career in the most popular pieces. Its text describes a arriving in Europe through Arab trade routes of sound. service of the aristocratic Esterházy family, lover’s dream of romantic flight away from

8.578173 4 9 8.578173 for pop and rock music in general. You will of the solo instrument to create counterpoint Parts makes contact with the strings under the kind of hear it more often in film and TV scores, being and polyphony, the arpeggiated or broken In conception the cello could hardly be simpler – tension that allows every subtlety of sound, from a leading voice in themes such as that for the chords of this prelude creating a rich texture merely a set of four strings stretched over a the dramatically intense to notes that can border popular series Game of Thrones. In jazz, bass in which melody and harmony take an hollow box that gives volume to the sound of on silence. The hair comes from horses’ tails, and players such as Oscar Pettiford used the cello equal role. the strings as they are made to vibrate by a this hair has to be rubbed with a cake of rosin – a as a solo instrument, tuning their instrument in bow drawn across them. Hundreds of years mixture of pine resin and turpentine – that coats fourths to put it an octave above the double 2 Saint-Saëns: Le Carnaval des animaux – of evolution contributed to the high level of the hair of the bow to provide it with enough bass while keeping the same playing positions. XIII. Le Cygne (‘The Swan’) sophistication in the construction of the cello, a friction to make the strings of the cello vibrate. Amplified and put through an array of electronic Le Carnaval des animaux (‘The Carnival of peak of refinement that gives it such a beauty Different designs of bow have been tried over effects the cello can become as edgy as any the Animals’) was originally written for of sound and depth of expression. The entire the years, the most noticeable of these being the instrument, and this can be heard in groups such private performance, but Le Cygne (‘The assembly of different kinds of wood making up so-called ‘Bach-bow’. This has a convex stick that as Apocalyptica from Finland, best known for Swan’), which Saint-Saëns dedicated to his the instrument has to be made to highly exacting flexes, allowing the ribbon of horsehair to make their versions of Metallica songs. The electric cellist friend Charles Lebouc, was the only measurements in order for it to play well, from contact with all of the strings of the cello at once cello, having no need for a sound box, manifests piece from it that he allowed to be published the subtle curves of the top and back boards to if required. itself as a skeletal version of the original, with in his lifetime. This beautiful tune therefore the shape of the ‘f’ holes, the placement of the scroll, , strings and bridge in their became primus inter pares in the humorous bridge, the angle and length of the neck and Luthiers usual place but without the shape of that familiar animal-themed suite, and is known today as fingerboard: the slightest mismatch in any one Makers of stringed instruments such as body in which the essence of the cello seems to one of the most popular cello encores. element can make the difference between a great and cellos are called luthiers, and famous reside. With its rich history, wonderful sound and instrument and one which fails to ‘sing’. There names from the past such as impressive versatility, the cello will surely continue 3 Vivaldi: Concerto in G minor for Two Cellos, are essential but hidden items inside the body of (1644–1737) and Giuseppe Guarneri, ‘del to encourage artists to find new ways to perform RV 531 – I. Allegro the cello that also play crucial roles, such as the Gesù’ (1698–1744) have a legendary status on the instrument, delighting music lovers for Antonio Vivaldi, known as ‘The Red Priest’ , a cylinder of wood wedged between amongst players and command astronomical centuries to come. for the distinctive colour of his hair, is the top and back boards that transfers vibrations prices due to the rarity of their instruments and supremely famous today as the composer throughout the instrument, and a reinforcing strip the reputation they have for beauty of sound. 1 J.S. Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, of The Four Seasons. Despite being hugely of wood under the top called a that Luthiers aspire to make instruments with the BWV 1007 – I. Prelude prolific as a composer he wrote only one enhances lower sonorities. quality and personality of their professional Each of Bach’s six Suites for solo cello start concerto for two cellos, employing these solo forebears, while creating their own unique with a Prelude, of which this example from instruments in close imitation to one another, Bow legacy in instruments that will be enjoyed for the First Suite has become one of the most so that the listener can hear each musical Often underestimated but equally important is hundreds of years. celebrated in the entire cello repertoire. statement shadowed or repeated between the bow. Modern bows have a concave shape Characteristic of these works is Bach’s use the cellos, as in a lively conversation. that helps keep the ribbon of horsehair which

8.578173 8 5 8.578173 Cellists the much-admired French cellist Paul Tortelier cellists of the late 18th century, advanced the and Second Cello from widely differing The names of famous cellists from the pre-recording declared that Pablo Casals had been his greatest technical content of his concertos and sonatas, periods in the composer’s life, and together years, such as Boccherini, Duport, Franchomme, influence. Tortelier’s vividly dynamic style had a particularly exploring the high register of the forming amongst the most important cello sonatas Davidov and Popper, have been kept alive considerable impact on 20th century cellists, and instrument, and this did much to advance its from the second half of the 19th century. Even in by the compositions they have left us. Of the performers such as Jacqueline du Pré flocked to position as a challenge to the more ubiquitous this period, works for cello frequently started out performers who have become legendary through his masterclasses. Jacqueline’s career and life . In the mid-18th century in Austria and as violin originals – César Franck’s exceptional their recordings, Pablo Casals has to be a first were tragically cut short by multiple sclerosis, , the cello flourished as part of the Sonata in A major for instance, which appears in choice. A native of Spain, Casals’ pioneering but the huge popularity of her recordings, in famous orchestra at the court of Mannheim, and a composer-approved arrangement for cello and and influential style brought world renown, and particular of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, helped bring Joseph Haydn was able to bring the cello into piano made by cellist . he is credited with bringing the Bach Suites her instrument even closer to the mainstream in equal status with the other instruments in the string The 20th century saw a transition from the for solo cello to public attention after famously music. When it comes to popularity, American quartets and concertos he was composing as part lush Romanticism expressed in works such as finding a copy of the sheet music while browsing cellist Yo-Yo Ma takes first prize not only for of his duties in service in the Kapelle of Prince Sergey Rachmaninov’s Cello Sonata in G minor in a thrift shop. The Suites were virtually unknown his award-winning recordings, but also an Esterházy. One of the Esterházy cellists, Anton (1901) and Sir Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in the late 19th century, and it wasn’t until Casals’ inquisitive musical mind that has brought about Kraft (1749–1820) also worked with Ludwig (1919) into the dizzying variety of style and recordings of them in 1939 that their popularity collaborations with musicians from genres van Beethoven (1770–1827), who composed his character found in works for cello by composers really took hold. including folk, world and pop music. Incidentally, Triple Concerto with Kraft’s remarkable abilities such as , , Zoltán , known as ‘Slava’, one of Ma’s cellos is the Davidov , in mind. Beethoven’s innovations also included Kodály, Béla Bartók, Bohuslav Martin , Francis was one of the greatest cellists of the 20th given to him by Jacqueline du Pré. Famous pieces composed for piano and cello, his two Poulenc, and many others. Fine century, his legacy including a significant players today include Julian Lloyd Webber, Truls Cello Sonatas, Op. 5 being an experiment in what musical examples can be found from Europe, increase in repertoire for the instrument due to Mørk, Steven Isserlis, Mischa Maisky, Maria was then a new type of ensemble. Beethoven had America and beyond, although the cello still lags the many commissions he gave to composers, Kliegel and Alisa Weilerstein, with others such as a clear affection for the cello, returning to it with behind the violin when it comes to sheer quantity inspiring and premiering over 100 new works. Matt Haimovitz, Maya Beiser and Frances-Marie his Op. 69 and Op. 102 sonatas later in life. of repertoire. Essential 20th-century cello works There are several identifiable ‘schools’ of cello Uitti at the avant-garde of new developments in The cello’s lyrical qualities as well as its such as ’s Cello Concerto playing including those of Germany, France and contemporary music. ability for sonorous depth proved irresistible to No. 1, Witold Lutosławski’s Concerto for Cello Italy. Rostropovich represents the Russian school many composers in the Romantic era, and key and Orchestra and György Ligeti’s Sonata for of cellists who, alongside other great names Cello music works of the 19th century for cello and orchestra Solo Cello provide a further springboard for such as Gregor Piatigorsky, travelled widely and Music for the cello as a solo instrument arrived include Robert Schumann’s Cello Concerto in exploration. became hugely influential as performers and relatively late in terms of music history, and A minor, Antonín Dvo ák’s Cello Concerto in B The cello can be heard in sophisticated teachers all over the world. Bach’s Suites were in fact highly unusual for their minor, Op. 104 and Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s arrangements in pop music by the likes of The Lines of descent in the cello world are as time. From the next generation, Rococo Variations. Central to chamber music for Beatles and The Beach Boys, but its inherently important as with any other instrument, and (1743–1805), who was one of the greatest cello in this period are ’ First sweet qualities make it a less frequent choice

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