What are you listening to now?

[Enrique]

But he wrote a work for two celli.

[Zevy]

But he wrote a work for two celli.

Enrique - You might be referring to K 292, Sonata for Bassoon & Cello by Mozart. I always wonder what Mozart would have written for the cello should he have been presented the challenge. In most of Mozart's chamber works that include the cello, it is relegated to playing the wonderfully masterful harmonic ideas of the composer. However, the standard was definitely raised by the time Beethoven began to write chamber music. I am sure there are many exceptions; one that comes to mind is the cello part of the Divertimento for String Trio K 563.

[Enrique]

Once my cello professor gave me the score to study the first cello part; he would play the second. Perhaps it was a transcription. Mozart was the first, among famous composers, to write the cellos part separate from the doublebasses, as is seen in symphony nr 41.

[Zevy]

Once my cello professor gave me the score to study the first cello part; he would play the second. Perhaps it was a transcription. Mozart was the first, among famous composers, to write the cellos part separate from the doublebasses, as is seen in symphony nr 41.

No transcription needed; both parts are in bass clef. I have heard it played by two bassoons, and there’s no reason why it wouldn’t work with two cellos.

[Quijote]

Further to Enrique and Zevy's discussion above ...

[Quijote]

And then for 2 celli ...

[Enrique]

Lovely! Thanks Quijote.

[Sorrano]

Last night, on Exploring Music, I heard the first two sections of Saint-Saens' Requiem. Until then, I was not aware that he had composed a setting of the Requiem, so I was delighted with that experience. The addition of the organ was nice, especially in the Dies Irae.

[Peter]

Further to Enrique and Zevy's discussion above ...

I think it was written at the same time as the Bassoon concerto (1774), so presumably Mozart had a bassoonist in mind. Interesting as well - no Mozart 'cello concerto!

[Peter]

Cortot playing his arrangement of the Arioso fron Bach's Harpsichord concerto in F minor.

[Chris]

Cortot playing his arrangement of the Arioso fron Bach's Harpsichord concerto in F minor.

Despite the poor quality of the recording, the beauty and sensitivity of the playing comes through so clearly!