Audio Sample
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Performance by Stephen Isserlis, Sydney Symphony, Ralph Lane from the CD [Selected works by] Carl Vine. |
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Score & Part
Concerto for cello and orchestra : piano score and cello part / Carl Vine.
Library shelf no. Q 787.4186/VIN 1 [Available for loan]
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Work Overview
Steven Isserlis is an impeccable performer. For
the past decade he paid me the greatest honour by playing my
little work Inner World, for cello and electronic
accompaniment, countless times around the globe. The honour
magnified when he first urged the creation of this concerto,
which the Sydney Symphony Orchestra graciously accommodated into
its commissioning schedule and concert season.
It is daunting to compare one's own work with past masterpieces,
but also foolish not to seek inspiration from outstanding
precedents. I remain in complete awe of the cello concertos by
Robert Schumann and Edward Elgar. The first for its continuous,
amazingly organic melodic development sustained over 23 minutes,
and the second for its utterly compelling emotional architecture
and beautifully balanced contrasts between soloist and orchestra.
I hope to have replicated some part of these characteristics in
my own humble effort.
The very notion of concerto now feels rooted in the romantic
notion of the hero (instrumental soloist) facing an indomitable
adversary (the orchestra). Certainly the successful merger of
these two radically mismatched forces is a primary task of the
concerto composer. My concerto begins with a dramatic statement
of this mismatch (borrowing a little from Elgar), and the balance
of the work might be seen as a quest for coalition.
The soloist continually introduces new melodic material that is
appropriated by the orchestra. A slow chorale led by the cellist
frames the central section. Unusually, the majority of this
typical 'slow' movement is actually quite fast, with only the
return to the chorale signifying its stately intent.
The third and final section opens with rapid woodwind figures
answered by the cello. The cello quickly converts these into
simple rising triplet scales that carry the work through to its
finale. Just before the climax the cello reintroduces the slow
chorale as the orchestra continues its relentless triplet
motion.
Work Details
Year: 2004
Instrumentation: Solo cello, 2 flutes (2nd doubling piccolo), 2 oboes (2nd doubling cor anglais), 2 clarinets in B flat (2nd doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (2nd doubling contra-bassoon), 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (2 players), harp, celeste, strings.
Duration: 20 min.
Difficulty: Advanced
Dedication note: Dedicated to Stephen Isserlis
Commission note: Commissioned by Symphony Australia for performance by Sydney Symphony with funds provided by Australia Council.
First performance: by Sydney Symphony, Stephen Isserlis — 30 Jun 04. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Awards & Prizes
Year | Award | Placing | Awarded for/to |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Classical Music Awards - Best Performance of an Australian Composition | Winner | Stephen Isserlis |
Subjects
- In the form/style of: Concertos
Performances of this work
2 Jul 04: Sydney Opera House. Featuring Stephen Isserlis, Sydney Symphony, Ralph Lane.
30 Jun 04: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House. Featuring Sydney Symphony, Stephen Isserlis.
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