Unbeaten Tracks for Cello and Piano comprises eight contemporary graded pieces grades 4 and 7 in standard. These contemporary eight pieces in this volume are written in an array of musical styles by some of today's most talented composers and are undoubtedly destined to become standard repertoire for players of intermediate level upwards. Handy Biopics collect small details about various composers giving an insight into the inspiration and mood of the music.The solo Cello part is also included on a separate insert.

Russian army officer Cesar Cui is best known for his avocational life in music – as a composer and music critic. Even though Cui composed in almost all genres of his time his status today in therepertoire is considerably small based (in the West) primarily on some of his Piano and chamber music – such as the (originally) Violin and Piano piece Orientale. Part of Kaleidoscope a collectionof 24 miniatures (most of which are now forgotten) Orientale has been a staple on violinists' and cellists' encore lists for more than a century now. The piece is a prime example of Cui’s strongesttalent the crystallization of mood at an instant in his instrumental miniatures. The 6/8 time Allegretto rides along on a tambourine rhythm set up by the soloist in the opening bars with the main tune offered by the Piano andlater taken up “with tenderness” by the Cello. As the name suggests this beautiful miniature carries oriental sounds and motives symbolising the mysterious atmosphere of the desert and with a performance time of under2 minutes is a perfect addition to any cellist’s repertoire.

piano reduction with solo part. Par SHCHEDRIN RODION. Shchedrin’s œuvre spans nearly every musical genre, and it is hardly surprising that an output of such versatility contains some rather remarkable instrumental combinations, for example “Music from afar” for 2 bass recorders, or “Balalaika” for a solo violin playing pizzicato throughout. This predilection for the unusual leads the composer in “Parabola concertante” with its basically subdued and contemplative mood to add a charcteristic counterpoint by contrasting the accompanying string orchestra with timpani. The piece was composed for master virtuoso Mstislav Rostropovitch, who played the solo part in the first performance at the International Cello Festival in Kronberg./ Répertoire / Violoncelle et Piano

Take Seven is a tried and trusted showpiece with audience appeal. The title Take Seven is of course a play on Paul Desmond's famous Take Five and its recording by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. As there, the rhythms in this piece are largely based on an asymmetric metre - in this case, 7/4 time. Unlike most jazz pieces with an uneven metre, however, Take Seven goes through various moods, sections and tempo changes, illuminating the main theme from different angles. / Violoncelle Et Piano