Three Solo Suites for Cello, opp. 70, 72, and 82 by Benjamin Britten
Edited by Mstislav Rostropovich. Published by Faber
Benjamin Britten (1913-76) was among the most significant English composers of the middle 20th century. An admirer of the music of Mahler, Shostakovich, and his teacher Frank Bridge, he also found great inspiration in English baroque and Renaissance music and helped broaden the predominant English style beyond the prevailing pastoralism of his day. Though most known for his operatic, vocal, and choral music, he wrote much for strings.
Britten's three solo cello suites (1964-71, opp. 70, 72, and 82) arose from his close friendship with the eminent Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. The first two use Bach's suites provided a compositional model; Suite No. 2 is closest to a baroque dance suite, while No. 1 is more like a collection of character pieces. Suite No. 3 is much different, incorporating Russian folk music and reaching more profound emotional and expressive depth than either of its predecessors. These masterpieces of the twentieth-century cello repertory are gathered here in one collection. Master level, Grade 6.
Suite No. 1:
- Canto primo
- I. Fuga
- II. Lamento
- Canto segundo
- III. Serenata
- IV. Marcia
- Canto terzo
- V. Bordone
- VI. Moto perpetuo e Canto quarto
Suite No. 2:
- Declamato
- Fuga
- Scherzo
- Andante lento
- Ciaccona
Suite No. 3:
- Introduzione
- Marcia
- Canto
- Barcarola
- Dialogo
- Fuga
- Recitativo
- Moto perpetuo
- Passacaglia
- Mournful song--Autumn--Street song--Grant repose
