SKU: HL.49018807

ISBN 9790001169738. UPC: 884088668075. 8.25x11.75x0.243 inches.

Hummel's piece for solo violoncello and 13 strings follows Hermann Hesse's famous poem 'Stufen' ('Steps') with regard to form and content. Hummel, a cellist himself, arranges the solo part with playing techniques and tone colours that are typical of the instrument. The work begins and ends with a perfect fifth which sets a clear, concise motif. Short phrases in distinctive bowing patterns and harmonics determine the intensive dialogue between solo instrument and the group of 13 string instruments. At the end, the tension leads to an all-explanatory B-A-C-H theme: an unmistakable homage to the old master.

SKU: HL.49018922

ISBN 9790001174527. UPC: 841886015913. 9.25x12.0x0.163 inches.

When writing his Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 33, Camille Saint-Saens created a 'classic' of violoncello literature. But the French musician even wrote other solo works for this instrument: a second concerto, two sonatas, the 'Swan' from 'The Carnival of the Animals' as well as a 'Suite with Piano Accompaniment' Op. 16. Premiered on 27 April 1866 and probably written shortly before, the work is based on the composer's study of tradition, especially of the form of the Baroque suite, integrated in a Romantic tonal language. Many years later (1919) the composer also presented a version with orchestral instead of piano accompaniment, and for this version he replaced movements 3 and 5 and changed the ending of the fourth movement. The present edition contains the text of the orchestral version: The five-movement suite begins with a prelude reminiscent of Bach which is followed by a pleasant serenade, a stylized gavotte and a sentimental romance before a passionate tarantella puts a virtuoso end to the piece. The enthusiastic, melodic 'Suite' is a valuable addition to the cello repertoire, suitable for both tuition and concert purposes.