Bax: Cello Concerto
Expected to ship in 2-3 weeks.
Shipping Policy- Composer: Arnold Bax (1883-1954)
- Format: Full Score
- Instrumentation: Cello, Orchestra
- Work: Cello Concerto (1932)
- Size: 8.3 x 11.6 inches
- Pages: 90
Description
"Have you considered the horror of trying to write a cello concerto? That is my hideous fate". Thus Arnold Bax wrote to a friend in late 1931. He had been asked to write a concerto for the Spanish cellist Gaspar Cassadó, a request he found difficult to deny because Cassadó had recently been working with the pianist Harriet Cohen, who was Bax's long-term lover. The combined pressure from Cassadó and Cohen was just too much for Bax, who wrote, "I would never have thought of writing such a thing if I had not been bullied into it".
The trouble was that writing for cello & orchestra is notoriously difficult because the cello sings in mid-range and does not have great penetrating power through the full orchestra. Edward Elgar solved this problem by having the cello wander through a clear gap between treble and bass. Dvořák too, but, even then, neither composer is successful all the time. However, British composers have a good record of writing for solo cello and orchestra, beginning with Arthur Sullivan and including fine works by Stanford, Delius, Bridge, Britten, Moeran, Finzi, Bliss and Walton. Bax's concerto contains a strong first movement with pre-echoes of Bax's 7th symphony, and a lovely slow movement (which the composer typically calls "Nocturne"). But it perhaps suffers from a somewhat insubstantial finale. in any case, it has not had many advocates beyond Beatrice Harrison in Bax's day and Raphael Wallfisch in recent years. The first performance was given at the Queen's Hall on 5 March 1934 by Gaspar Cassadó, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hamilton Harty.
Phillip Brookes, 2026
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Digital Download
Digital, PDF version of the score.
Bax: Cello Concerto
