Composed for Steven Isserlis in 2004 Carl Vine’s Cello Concerto is an exhilarating 20-minute work that traverses a vast emotional palette. The Concerto begins arrestingly with soloist pitted against orchestra though as it develops the two factions move towards union. A slow chorale led by the cellist frames the central section whilst relentless motor rhythms drive the work to its close.

In memory of Christopher Rowland. Originally a concerto for Cello and chamber orchestra now for Cello with a Piano reduction of the orchestral part.The concerto is in four movements which are played without a break: Meditation Intermezzo Toccata-Scherzo and Song. The work lasts for some 18 minutes and was scored for two oboes two horns timpani (doubling tubular bells) and strings(found here in a Cello/Piano form). It is organised in one large arch-shaped structure with two fast inner movements flanked by two outer slow ones. The solo cello opens the work reflectively and introduces core melodic material which is continuously developed throughout theconcerto. Gradually the strings enter then wind and timpani and build a pyramid twelve-note chord at the peak of which there is a dramatic climax. The music then subsides (solo cello again) but links to the two faster middle movements. The second movement Intermezzo has an ABA structure and in its middle section quotes the opening of Shostakovich's Third String Quartet (written in the same year as Christopher Rowland was born!). Indeed the ghost of Shostakovich looms large throughout the concerto in more ways than one. The Toccata-Scherzo is energetic and rhythmically-charged again using an ABA structure. Here the writing for solo cello is quite virtuosic but not I hope in a shallow sense. The music builds inexorably towards a powerful climax underpinned by the opening twelve-note chord's re-appearance together with a violent outburst from the timpani at which point a tonal resolution (on G) arrives through a pianissimo held chord on strings which leads directly to the final movement - Song. And so the music arrives at its emotional heart through a simple melody (present in other forms throughout the work) announced by solo cello at the very top of its register against a quiet backdrop of horns and strings. A solo oboe enters with cello in canonic reply and all the time the music builds in texture and

The Final Movement of the Concerto For Violoncello And Orchestra by Herbert Howells has been elaborated here by Jonathan Clinch arranged for Cello and Piano. A full performance lasts around 8 minutes.

Three Pieces for cello and piano received its premiere on 9th June 1999 at St Cyprian's Church Marylebone performed by Susie Winkworth (Cello) and Tamami Honma (piano). Duration c. 8 minutes.

Cheryl Frances-Hoad's Songs and Dances for Cello and Piano.Commissioned by the Three Choirs Festival.Duration: 12 minutes

Par KOEHLER WOLFGANG. Wolfgang Köhler, professor of jazz piano at the Berlin Jazz Institute, writes music in the border area between classical, jazz and contemporary music. His 'Variations' for cello and piano are cross-over music in the best sense of the word and a rewarding concert and examination piece of medium difficulty (use of thumb position demanded). The three variations on a vocal theme use different styles like Latin (var. 1), ballad (var. 2) to rhythm and harmony inspired by Prokofiev (var. 3). The recapitulation of the cantabile theme concludes the original, effective piece which has a duration of six minutes./ Répertoire / Violoncelle et Piano