Composer

:

Ned Rorem

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

2002

First Performance

:

Mar 28, 2003

Average_duration

:

24:59

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Ned Rorem's 'Cello Concerto' is a three-movement work for solo cello and orchestra. It was composed in 2002 and premiered on March 6, 2003, by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, with soloist Yo-Yo Ma and conductor Robert Spano. The first movement, marked "Moderato," begins with a lyrical cello solo that sets the tone for the entire concerto. The orchestra enters with a gentle accompaniment, and the soloist and orchestra engage in a dialogue that alternates between moments of intimacy and moments of grandeur. The movement ends with a return to the opening material, but with a more assertive cello line. The second movement, marked "Adagio," is a slow and introspective meditation. The cello sings a mournful melody over a hushed orchestral backdrop, and the music gradually builds in intensity and complexity. The movement reaches a climax with a passionate cello cadenza, after which the orchestra returns with a brief reprise of the opening material. The final movement, marked "Allegro," is a lively and virtuosic romp. The cello and orchestra engage in a playful and energetic dialogue, with the soloist demonstrating impressive technical prowess. The movement features several cadenzas for the cello, as well as a brief fugue-like section. The concerto ends with a triumphant coda that brings the work to a thrilling conclusion. Throughout the concerto, Rorem's writing for the cello is both idiomatic and expressive, showcasing the instrument's full range and capabilities. The orchestration is colorful and inventive, with Rorem making use of a wide variety of textures and timbres. The overall mood of the concerto is introspective and contemplative, with moments of intense emotion and moments of playful exuberance.

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