Fabian Müller - composer

Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra (1999)

Part of the CD-booklet-text by Thomas Meyer: We encounter B-major again at the end of the Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra (1999). Because the cello is the instrument of Fabian Müller`s childhood and the instrument he plays today, one could hear a personal declaration in this piece. The cello is also the instrument his wife Pi-Chin Chien plays; the concerto is dedicated to her. Like the first version of the Nachtgesänge, this one movement work was also composed in Sweden, a favorite place of retreat for the composer. This music is often dark; it begins with a dramatic, heavy accent. According to Fabian Müller it is reminiscent of the feeling at the end of the millenium that the world might end. The work is also strongly influenced by the «magnificent plays of nature in the Swedish landscape». Externally the structure is very clear, internally it is more complex. In the dramatic introduction the solo cello ascends mysteriously out of the low contrabasses until it explodes into musical «flames». This is followed by a fast rhythmically virtuosic first section (Allegro), which is interrupted by reminiscences of the opening Lento section. After a solo cadenza (also characterized by interruptions) comes a slow, elegiac Adagio in which the cello has full opportunity to sing and oscillate. An Allegro scherzo provides contrast before it returns to the Adagio. A second Scherzo with elements from the opening section leads to an exciting ending in B-major in clear contrast to the open octaves heard in the beginning section

Info

in one movement

Instrumentation

2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets (A), 2 Bassoons, 1 Double Bassoon
4 Horns (F), 2 Tenor Trombones, 1 Bass Trombone
Timpani, Percussion
Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass
Solo Cello

Duration

about 18 minutes

Excerpts for listening

[ mp3 | 2519 KB ]

Listen to the work on MX3