Jean Daniel Braun is not a composer whose works are widely performed, nor is there much information about his life and compositions. The date and location of his birth are not well documented, but it is thought that he was born in Alsace, the eastern-most region of France. His death was recorded as occurring on April 2, 1738, making his birth likely in the late 17thcentury. In his autobiography, Johann Joachim Quantz mentions meeting Jean Daniel Braun and his brother, Jean Fr�d�ric Braun, during his six-month visit to Paris between August 1726 and March 1727, which is really the only affirmative mention about Braun and his activities during his lifetime. In addition to being active as a flutist and composer, Jean Daniel Braun was also a music publisher in Paris, the result of his receiving a ten-year royal privilege to print several of his own works. This royal privilege, which served as an early form of copyright, allowed him to publish his first collection; a set of Sonatas for Flute with Basso Continuo in 1728. He went on to publish ten more collections of his own compositions, the majority of which were for flute and continuo, with some notable exceptions, including a set of 6 sonatas for two bassoons or other bass instruments. Jean Daniel did not personally publish the last volume of his works, Sonata a fl�te traversi�re et basse suivie de differentes pi�ces sans basse[1]it is thought that Jean Fr�d�ric Braun discovered the manuscript, assumed them to be composed by his brother, and saw them to publication under his brother?s name.[2]

These suites, while not originally written for cello, sound well-suited to the instrument and present some unique technical challenges that do not normally present themselves in the cello repertoire, including multiple rapid shifts in quick succession and rapid large interval leaps. In the 18th century, it was very common for works to be transcribed for and performed on other instruments. Braun's novel use of a treble clef in one key and a bass clef in another at the beginning line of each of the 5 suites (the 2nd Suite excepted, however, it does have a note for bass instruments to transpose to the appropriate key at the beginning), is proof that Braun did not have a single instrument in mind for these suite. It is therefore fitting that these suites should and can be performed on the cello.

There are two versions of the suites in this edition. The first is as it appears in the edition at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France (Paris). The bowed version provides the editors suggested bowings that are more suited to performance on cello.



[1]David A Wells, liner notes from Twenty Four Solos by Jean-Daniel Braun, Nadina Makie Jackson, 2011
[2]Jean Daniel Braun, Sonata a fl�te trabersi�re et basse suivie de differentes pi�ces sans basse. Paris 1740

Foreword by Marcello Castellani, tr. Elsa and Amedeo Stolfi, and Aaron Haas

Archivum Musicum: L?Art de la fl�te traversi�reVol. 23 Florence: Studio Per Edizioni Scelte, 1982

El Noi de la Mare (The Child of the Mother) is a traditional Catalan Christmas song. Here it is arranged for solo Cello in the key of G major. The melody has been harmonized and elaborated upon. The tune is played first with the bow with some left hand pizzicato, and then strummed with pizzicato. The famous guitar arrangement by Miguel Llobet has served as inspiration. This arrangement has many chords and some artifical harmonics, and is suitable for advanced players. It would make a good piece for a solo recital or encore.

Appalachia Waltz for unaccompanied cello by Mark O?Connor

Cello Solo

Music by Mark O?Connor

3 pages - 4:20 minutes in length

Poem For Carlita (for unaccompanied cello) MO150

Cello Solo

Music by Mark O?Connor

5 pages - 7:30 minutes in length

The combination of musical melancholy and instrumental virtuosity captivates both players and audience alike. 'Flamenco' comes from the Suite espagnole No. 1 by the rather unknown Spanish composer Rogelio Huguet y Tagell. Originally intended as a piano trio, the suite was eventually composed for violoncello solo. This fact certainly explains the numerous double stops and chord structures running through the entire piece, thus giving it a sonorous sound. Entire pizzicato passages are reminiscent of flamenco guitar sounds and lyrically lamenting passages in the middle section emphasize the typical flamenco character.

This solo sonata was written between 1948 and 1953. The two opposing movements Dialogo and Capriccio follow the generally accepted slow-fast principle, with the second movement being inspired, according to Ligeti's own statement, by Paganini's Capricci.

In addition to Bryars' many vocal laude there are a growing number of connected instrumental works. Tre Laude Dolce for solo cello is the second of these to be released as a Schott Edition publication and follows Bryars' Lauda (con sordino) originally for cello and piano. Based on the same principals as the composer's vocal laude and as always, attempting to retain the purity and austerity of the original form, Tre Laude Dolce is characterised by long phrases and open structures. a beautiful work perfect for any good cellist.