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Timeline of cello concertos written during the period 1971-1980

Date	Recorded	Unrecorded
1971	Baltin, Biel, Chihara, Escudero, Evett 2, Hirose, Knipper 2, Sutermeister 2	Blazer, Blendinger, Fribec, Guzowski, Logar, Rääts 2
1972	Balakauskas 1, Denisov, Gubaidulina 1, Matěj, Penderecki 1, Perrin, Rekašius 1, Rota 1, Sauguet, Soukup	Bashmakov, Dragatakis, Imbrie, Martino, Scherbaum 3&4
1973	C.Adam, Hristoskov 1, Khudoyan 2, Klova 2, Nosyrev, Páleníček, Rota 2, Smolsky	Bellucci, Cooke, Dashkevich, Eckerberg, Firsova 1, Gesensway, Hartig, Klebanov 2, Paltanavičius, Routh, Salaks, Schuback, Székely, Tsintsadze 3
1974	Gregor, Holmboe, Kupferman 2, Mannino 2, Miyoshi 1, Perkowski, Ramovš, Spassov 1, Standford, Sturzenegger 4, A.Tchaikovsky	Aarne 1, Antunes, Bentzon 2, Bughici, Fennimore 1, Ficher, Geissler, Halffter 1, Kelly, Lieberson, Nasidze, Pflüger 1, Price, C.Schmidt, M.Thomas, Vamos 2, Wieczorek
1975	Baker 1, Chávez (incomplete), Dittrich, Erb, Højsgaard, Lendvay, Matthus, Wuorinen 2, Yagling 1	Asturias, Benshoof, Berinsky 1, Bottje, Brene 2, Brott, Bukowski, Chalaev 2, Diethelm 2, Doran, Hessenberg, Mamiya, Meriläinen, Moss 1, Peçi 1, Pekov 1, Pop, Hermann Reiter, Salgado, Thorne 1
1976	Hvoslef 1, Kochan 2, Mansurian 1, Marco, Motte, Ohana 1, Sallinen, Standford/McKuen, Yun	Charpentier, Cooper, Fountain, W.Glaser, Hovunts, Korchmar, Kyurkchiyski, Lomdaridze, Maciejasz-Kamińska, McCullough, J.Park, Prévost
1977	Benguerel, Doráti, Flury, Glonti 1, L.Klein, Magin, Sinopoli, Tichý	ApIvor, Borisovas, Bruns 2, Fongaard 1,2&3, Ivanov, Johnsen, Mannino 3, Marescotti, McKinley, Očenáš 2, Osborne 1, Rääts 3, Ribáry 2, Sagaev 1, Sargsyan 1, Slothouwer, Štědroň, Stein, Taktakishvili 2, Vazkén, Velásquez, Vuataz
1978	Mansurian 2, Medek 1, Novák, Prošev, Wellejus	Benjamin, Bergman 1, Ellis, Franke-Blom, Fulkerson, Gaqi, Proto, Siqueira 2, Stendel, Válek, Victory, Ward 1
1979	Carlson 1, Crosse, Hristoskov 2, Kostiainen, Kurbanklycheva, Obradović, Schiffman, Sommer	Drossin, Ferritto, Freund, Golabovski, Henshall 1, W.Hofmann 1, Jazwinski, Mitzev, Papaioannou, Sargsyan 2, Syvinki, Thompson
1980	Ambrosius 3, Ginastera 2, Gulda, Kholminov 1, Ledenev, Nordgren 1, Wernick 1	Aarne 2, Basner, Börtz, Buczynski, Georgiev, Gotkovsky, Järvlepp, Kalloś 2, Khromushin, Kupkovič 1, Leimert, Ogura, Rasmussen, Schirmer, Tarnopolski, S.Werner, Whitsitt

During the period 1971-1980 a total of 222 cello concertos were identified, of which 83 (37%) have been recorded and 139 appear to be unrecorded. Those in the latter category that seem to me to be particularly in need of recording are the works of Cooke and Routh, and the second concerto of Bentzon (whose first and third concertos have been recorded). I have already recommended both Ginastera’s concertos as they are coupled together (see 1961-1970 timeline).

Recommendations
 
Doráti A characterful work in an expressive performance from Raphael Wallfisch.

Erb A quite haunting work that opens with orchestral violence but has a much more lyrical solo part. Lynn Harrell makes the most of it.

Gulda For this jazzy five-movement work with wind band accompaniment, Gautier Capuçon’s recording from the 2006 Lugano Festival is irresistible.

Holmboe It is a pity that Nielsen didn’t write a cello concerto but another great Danish composer left a work of substance in a single span, and it has been recorded by the great Danish cellist Erling Blöndal Bengtsson.

Knipper His Concerto-Poem is expressive, almost improvisatory and Natalia Shakhovskaya is a fine soloist.

Medek A substantial four-movement concerto that is a slow-burner and has divided critical opinion. But, at times, I found Guido Schiefen’s live performance quite mesmeric.
 
Nordgren Marko Ylönen’s recording of his cello concerto No.1 which consists of two brief Preludes followed by an extended Hymn is compelling.
 
Rota Both his cello concertos are fine works and I particularly like the second concerto as recorded by Silvia Chiesa.
 
Sallinen Perhaps the standout work of the period. A choice of recordings is available with Arto Noras an ideal champion for it.
 
Standford This three-movement work goes slow-fast-slow and the dedicatee Raphael Wallfisch’s rendition is gripping.

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