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Cello Concerto No. 1 in C (Haydn)
Encyclopedia
The Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Hob.
VIIb/1, by Joseph Haydn
was composed around 1761-65 for longtime friend Joseph Franz Weigl
, then the principal cellist of Prince Nicolaus's Esterházy Orchestra.
The work was presumed lost until 1961, when musicologist Oldřich Pulkert discovered a copy of the score at the Prague National Museum. Though some doubts have been raised about the authenticity of the work, most experts believe that Haydn did compose this concerto.
, 7
and 8
and predating his D major cello concerto
by around twenty years, already shows Haydn as a master of instrumental writing. The solo cello
part is thoroughly idiomatic. The concerto reflects the ritornello
form of the baroque
concerto as well as the emerging structure of the sonata-allegro form. As in the baroque concerto grosso
, the accompanying ensemble is small: strings, two oboes, and two horns. It is possible that Weigl was the only cellist in the Esterházy Orchestra when Haydn composed the concerto, since there is only one cello line in the score, marked alternately “solo” and “tutti.” There is also, however, a basso continuo line, that might have been played by another cellist, or by Haydn himself on the harpsichord, or by a string bass player.
All three movements of this work are written in sonata form
, unlike the second concerto, where rondo form
is used in the second and third movements. This concerto is more related to Haydn's violin concerti than its follower, holding very close resemblance to the Violin Concerto no. 3 in A major
, such as the first movement's etched rhythms, and flowing second themes, a peaceful slow movement, and a brisk finale. Both concerti were composed in the same period of time.
After the orchestral exposition of the first movement, the solo instrument plays the opening theme with full chords that use all four strings. Virtuosity is developed further in the use of rapidly repeating notes, the very high range, and quick contrasts of register. This movement is dominated by a single theme, although the theme itself includes several motives that Haydn develops separately. Near the end, a cadenza is played.
In the slow movement (scored without winds), the cello enters dramatically on a long note, played while the orchestral strings relaunch the opening theme. Two measures later the cello goes on to imitate this melody. Haydn was fond of this gesture: several times in the movement the cello enters on a sustained pitch. This movement, like the first, calls for a cadenza toward the end.
The finale also has the cello enter on a long note, after an extended orchestral introduction. This spirited finale, written in sonata allegro form, represented another chance for Haydn to show what he could do in spinning out a single theme into a series of short motives and a large variety of rapidly changing moods. The virtuosity of the solo instrument is exploited in this movement, especially in passages where the cello alternates rapidly from low to high, so that it seems to be two instruments playing in counterpoint
. Haydn uses the sustained-note entrance several times, the final one on a very high, penetrating G.
Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto has become a staple of the cello repertoire, after its 20th century premiere by Miloš Sádlo
and the Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, on May 19, 1962. Many famous artists, such as Jacqueline du Pré
, Yo-Yo Ma
, Maria Kliegel
, Truls Mørk
and Mstislav Rostropovich
, have recorded this Concerto.
Hoboken-Verzeichnis
The Hoboken-Verzeichnis is the catalogue of over 750 works by Joseph Haydn as compiled by Anthony van Hoboken.Unlike Ludwig von Köchel's catalogue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's works, or Otto Erich Deutsch's catalogue of Franz Schubert's works, which are both arranged chronologically by date of...
VIIb/1, by Joseph Haydn
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
was composed around 1761-65 for longtime friend Joseph Franz Weigl
Joseph Franz Weigl
Joseph Franz Weigl was a Bavarian and Austrian cellist. He was a cellist in the orchestra of the Esterházy family. He played under the directorship of Joseph Haydn, who also was godfather to the cellist's son, and it is thought that Haydn wrote his cello concerto in C major Joseph Franz Weigl (19...
, then the principal cellist of Prince Nicolaus's Esterházy Orchestra.
The work was presumed lost until 1961, when musicologist Oldřich Pulkert discovered a copy of the score at the Prague National Museum. Though some doubts have been raised about the authenticity of the work, most experts believe that Haydn did compose this concerto.
Background
This early work, contemporaneous with symphonies 6Symphony No. 6 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 6 in D major is an early symphony written by Joseph Haydn and the first written after Haydn had joined the Esterházy court. It is the first of three that are characterised by unusual virtuoso writing across the orchestral ensemble...
, 7
Symphony No. 7 (Haydn)
The Symphony No. 7 in C major, Hoboken I/7, is a symphony by Joseph Haydn, sometimes called "Le midi." The symphony was most likely composed in 1761, together with the other two of the Day Trilogy, No.s 6 and 8....
and 8
Symphony No. 8 (Haydn)
Joseph Haydn wrote his Symphony No. 8 in G major under the employ of Prince Esterházy in 1761, in the transition between the Baroque and Classical periods. It is the third part of a set of three symphonies - Le matin , Le midi and Le soir .-Orchestration:The orchestration used in Symphony No...
and predating his D major cello concerto
Cello Concerto No. 2 (Haydn)
Joseph Haydn's Concerto No. 2 in D Major, Hob. VIIb/2, for cello and orchestra was composed in 1783 for Antonín Kraft, a cellist of Prince Nikolaus's Esterházy Orchestra....
by around twenty years, already shows Haydn as a master of instrumental writing. The solo cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
part is thoroughly idiomatic. The concerto reflects the ritornello
Ritornello
A ritornello is a recurring passage in Baroque music for orchestra or chorus. The first or final movement of a solo concerto or aria may be in "ritornello form", in which the ritornello is the opening theme, always played by tutti, which returns in whole or in part and in different keys throughout...
form of the baroque
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
concerto as well as the emerging structure of the sonata-allegro form. As in the baroque concerto grosso
Concerto grosso
The concerto grosso is a form of baroque music in which the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists and full orchestra...
, the accompanying ensemble is small: strings, two oboes, and two horns. It is possible that Weigl was the only cellist in the Esterházy Orchestra when Haydn composed the concerto, since there is only one cello line in the score, marked alternately “solo” and “tutti.” There is also, however, a basso continuo line, that might have been played by another cellist, or by Haydn himself on the harpsichord, or by a string bass player.
Movements
- Moderato
- Adagio
- Allegro molto
All three movements of this work are written in sonata form
Sonata form
Sonata form is a large-scale musical structure used widely since the middle of the 18th century . While it is typically used in the first movement of multi-movement pieces, it is sometimes used in subsequent movements as well—particularly the final movement...
, unlike the second concerto, where rondo form
Rondo
Rondo, and its French equivalent rondeau, is a word that has been used in music in a number of ways, most often in reference to a musical form, but also to a character-type that is distinct from the form...
is used in the second and third movements. This concerto is more related to Haydn's violin concerti than its follower, holding very close resemblance to the Violin Concerto no. 3 in A major
Violin Concerto No. 3 (Haydn)
The Violin Concerto No. 3 , in A major, Hob. VIIa.3, was composed by Joseph Haydn probably between 1765 and 1770. It consists of three movements:ModeratoAdagioPresto- External links :*...
, such as the first movement's etched rhythms, and flowing second themes, a peaceful slow movement, and a brisk finale. Both concerti were composed in the same period of time.
In the slow movement (scored without winds), the cello enters dramatically on a long note, played while the orchestral strings relaunch the opening theme. Two measures later the cello goes on to imitate this melody. Haydn was fond of this gesture: several times in the movement the cello enters on a sustained pitch. This movement, like the first, calls for a cadenza toward the end.
The finale also has the cello enter on a long note, after an extended orchestral introduction. This spirited finale, written in sonata allegro form, represented another chance for Haydn to show what he could do in spinning out a single theme into a series of short motives and a large variety of rapidly changing moods. The virtuosity of the solo instrument is exploited in this movement, especially in passages where the cello alternates rapidly from low to high, so that it seems to be two instruments playing in counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
. Haydn uses the sustained-note entrance several times, the final one on a very high, penetrating G.
Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto has become a staple of the cello repertoire, after its 20th century premiere by Miloš Sádlo
Miloš Sádlo
Miloš Sádlo , a Czech cellist, was born in Prague, Czech Republic. Born Miloš Zátvrzský he took the name Sadlo after "Karel Pravoslav Sádlo", his teacher and mentor....
and the Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, on May 19, 1962. Many famous artists, such as Jacqueline du Pré
Jacqueline du Pré
Jacqueline Mary du Pré OBE was a British cellist. She is particularly associated with Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor; her interpretation has been described as "definitive" and "legendary." Her career was cut short by multiple sclerosis, which forced her to stop performing at 28 and led to her...
, Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma
Yo-Yo Ma is an American cellist, virtuoso, and orchestral composer. He has received multiple Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts in 2001 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011...
, Maria Kliegel
Maria Kliegel
-Professional career:Kliegel was born in Dillenburg, Hesse. She studied under Janos Starker starting at the age of 19. She won first prize at the American College Competition, First German Music Competition and Concours Aldo Parisot, and was also the Grand Prize winner at the 2nd Mstislav...
, Truls Mørk
Truls Mørk
Truls Olaf Otterbech Mørk is a Norwegian cellist.Mørk was born in Bergen, Norway, the son of two professional musicians, his father a cellist and his mother a pianist. His mother began teaching him the piano when he was seven...
and Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Rostropovich
Mstislav Leopoldovich Rostropovich, KBE , known to close friends as Slava, was a Soviet and Russian cellist and conductor. He was married to the soprano Galina Vishnevskaya. He is widely considered to have been the greatest cellist of the second half of the 20th century, and one of the greatest of...
, have recorded this Concerto.
See also
- (The score of Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 1)
External links
- Hob. VIIb/1 - Moderato: Live performance by Munich Chamber OrchestraMunich Chamber OrchestraThe Munich Chamber Orchestra is a professional chamber orchestra in Munich, Germany, known for programming contemporary music along with the classical repertory.-History:...
and Trey Lee Chui-yeeTrey Lee Chui-yeeTrey Chui-yee Lee is an internationally renowned cellist. He was born in Hong Kong in the 1970s, but grew up in the United States of America. He attended the Juilliard Music School, majoring in cello. Afterwards, he went to Harvard University, to major in Economics...
(Video) - Haydn Cello Concerto C major Allegro Molto: by Jacqueline du Pré Jacqueline du PréJacqueline Mary du Pré OBE was a British cellist. She is particularly associated with Elgar's Cello Concerto in E Minor; her interpretation has been described as "definitive" and "legendary." Her career was cut short by multiple sclerosis, which forced her to stop performing at 28 and led to her...