Cello Concerto No. 2 (Saint-Saëns)

Saint-Saëns' Cello Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 119, is written in two movements, like his Fourth Piano Concerto. It was composed in 1902 and is dedicated to the Dutch cellist, Joseph Hollman, who gave the first performance.[1] The Second Concerto is much more virtuosic than the First, but does not possess the thematic inventiveness and harmonic intricacy of the First.

"In many respects, it's a finer creation than its famous predecessor in A minor Op. 33; larger in overall concept (it comprises two main sections, each subdivided into two movements) and arguably of greater thematic nobility, the concerto remains largely unknown."[2]

Music
  1. Allegro moderato e maestoso - Andante sostenuto
  2. Allegro non troppo - Cadenza - Molto allegro

The first part of the first movement is in ternary form. The second part is a prayer, in E-flat major, also in ternary form. The first movement ends with a scale in artificial harmonics, like the scale in the First Cello Concerto. The second movement is a moto perpetuo in G minor. It ends abruptly in a cadenza, followed by a major-key recapitulation of the first movement, and a coda.

Along with the solo cello, the concerto is scored for an orchestra consisting of 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, timpani and strings.

Recordings

References
  1. Rees, pp. 368, 387 and 433
  2. http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=3853#review

Sources
  • Rees, Brian (1999). Camille Saint-Saëns – A Life. London: Chatto and Windus. ISBN 978-1-85619-773-1.
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