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Project Home Page Timeline of cello concertos written during the period 1981-1990
During the period 1981-1990 a total of 310 cello concertos were identified of which 107 (35%) have been recorded and 203 appear to be unrecorded. Of the unrecorded concertos, I am unfamiliar with the music of most of the composers listed. The works I would most like to be able to hear a recording of are the ones by Daniel Jones, Matchavariani, Medek’s second and one or more of Segerstam’s.
Recommendations
Malcolm Arnold An undeservedly neglected late work and Raphael Wallfisch makes the case for it well.
Bentzon His third concerto played by Erling Blöndal Bengtsson is cerebral music that will reward repeated listening.
Michael Berkeley A fairly brief concerto with an unusual structure which is well-delivered by Alban Gerhardt.
Braga Santos A gem of a late work from a Portuguese composer whose work deserves to be more widely known. Bruno Borralhinho’s recording is the one to go for.
Frumerie If this concerto sounds out of place in the 1980s it is because the original incarnation as a sonata dates from decades earlier. But no matter, this is a delightful work and Mats Lidström is a fine guide.
Gruber Since the cello concerto seems to have passed the Second Viennese School by, bring on the Third! A very enjoyable work, stylishly performed by Robert Cohen.
Kapustin His first concerto is pure jazz and Eckart Runge’s performance is quite a discovery for me.
Maxwell Davies If you can find it, the dedicatee William Conway’s recording of the second of the composer’s Strathclyde concertos would be my choice.
Ohana His second concerto called In dark and blue seems more approachable than the first. Sonia Wieder-Atherton deals convincingly with its intricacies.
Schnittke Both his concertos date from this period, and are substantial and profound works. They are usefully coupled together by Alexander Ivashkin.
