Cello Sonata ('Hours with the Masters') (2015-20, has two16)
for violoncello and piano
Dedicated to Friedrich Gauwerky and Daan Vandewalle
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Score and instrumental part BDE 1184
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Duration: c. 17 minutes
CD Recording
Recorded by Friedrich Gauwerky (violoncello) and Daan Vandewalle (piano) on Wergo CD: WER 736 12
Video
Roger Morelló Ros cello and Vittoria Quartararo piano
https://youtu.be/5GD4yCdmTo4
Première
Concert première: April 2024; Köln; Friedrich Gauwerky violoncello, Daan Vandewalle piano
Further performance: June 2004; Beethoven-Haus Bonn; Roger Morelló Ros cello and Vittoria Quartararo piano
Programme note
Almost everyone who had piano lessons in the mid-20th century will have encountered the now classic anthologies of so-called masterpieces, 'Hours with the Masters'. And my Sonata for violoncello and piano, which has that subtitle, is therefore a kind of imaginary anthology of violoncello sonatas from Beethoven through to the 20th century, chosen mostly for the material they yield. My other starting point emerged from the little-recognised scenario that Beethoven was a contemporary of the Christian Xhosa prophet and composer Ntsikana Gana (c.1760-1821), who hymns are the earliest pieces in the repertoire of most black South African choirs.
So my Sonata for Violoncello and Piano ('Hours with the Masters'), which I started in Cape Town in November 2015 and completed at my new home in France in September 2016, has two movements derived from the classical composers of cello sonatas (in particular Beethoven's third), and two movements deriving more from Xhosa music - i.e. from the masters of both traditions. It was written at the request of Friedrich Gauwerky.
for violoncello and piano
Dedicated to Friedrich Gauwerky and Daan Vandewalle
Publisher: Bardic Edition
Score and instrumental part BDE 1184
Available from Goodmusic Publishing
Duration: c. 17 minutes
CD Recording
Recorded by Friedrich Gauwerky (violoncello) and Daan Vandewalle (piano) on Wergo CD: WER 736 12
Video
Roger Morelló Ros cello and Vittoria Quartararo piano
https://youtu.be/5GD4yCdmTo4
Première
Concert première: April 2024; Köln; Friedrich Gauwerky violoncello, Daan Vandewalle piano
Further performance: June 2004; Beethoven-Haus Bonn; Roger Morelló Ros cello and Vittoria Quartararo piano
Programme note
Almost everyone who had piano lessons in the mid-20th century will have encountered the now classic anthologies of so-called masterpieces, 'Hours with the Masters'. And my Sonata for violoncello and piano, which has that subtitle, is therefore a kind of imaginary anthology of violoncello sonatas from Beethoven through to the 20th century, chosen mostly for the material they yield. My other starting point emerged from the little-recognised scenario that Beethoven was a contemporary of the Christian Xhosa prophet and composer Ntsikana Gana (c.1760-1821), who hymns are the earliest pieces in the repertoire of most black South African choirs.
So my Sonata for Violoncello and Piano ('Hours with the Masters'), which I started in Cape Town in November 2015 and completed at my new home in France in September 2016, has two movements derived from the classical composers of cello sonatas (in particular Beethoven's third), and two movements deriving more from Xhosa music - i.e. from the masters of both traditions. It was written at the request of Friedrich Gauwerky.
