Dance of the Elves, op. 39, cello and piano; David Popper

Dance of the Elves, Op.39 for cello and piano by David Popper

Edited by Pierre Fournier. Published by International

Prague-born cellist David Popper (1843-1913) was a leading virtuoso, chamber musician, and pedagogue of the cello of the nineteenth century. He was a prolific writer of music for the cello; he wrote numerous showpieces for the concert hall and salon, many of them extending the expressive range of the instrument. He is perhaps best-known for his cello methods, which are still widely used today.

Popper's Dance of the Elves, Op.39 is a famous showpiece for cello and piano requiring the utmost virtuosity from its cellist, with rapidfire passages that reach into the highest extremities of the cello's range. It was a favorite of legendary cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Master level, grade 6.