Edward Elgar wrote his Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, in 1919. His last notable work, it is considered a cornerstone of the cello repertoire. At the time it was composed Elgar had already lost favour with the concert-going audiences, and the disastrous premiere of the concert did not help (the orchestra had been deprived of the neccessary rehearsal time). Only in the 1960s, through a recording by Jacqueline du Pré, the piece became immensely popular. In contrast with his dramatic Violin Concerto, the Cello Concerto is for the most part a contemplative piece. The score calls for solo cello, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings.
Edward Elgar wrote his Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, in 1919. His last notable work, it is considered a cornerstone of the cello repertoire. At the time it was composed Elgar had already lost favour with the concert-going audiences, and the disastrous premiere of the concert did not help (the orchestra had been deprived of the neccessary rehearsal time). Only in the 1960s, through a recording by Jacqueline du Pré, the piece became immensely popular. In contrast with his dramatic Violin Concerto, the Cello Concerto is for the most part a contemplative piece. The score calls for solo cello, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in A, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, and strings.