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A Cello Anthology
Alina R. Castro-Swonger
Faculty Sponsor: Joseph Parillo, Department of Music
The Cello
• Earliest known cello
made around 1560
by Andrea Amati
• Cello was used only
for accompaniment
throughout 17th
century
• Used as solo
instrument starting
in the 18th century.
Famous King Cello by Amati
My cello experience…
• I started cello at 7 years
of age.
• I’ve been playing for over
15 years.
• Throughout my life, music
has been incredibly
important and influential.
• Outlet for self-expression
and reflection
My cello experience…
• Realizing the power of music on a
personal level inspired me to learn
about the history, culture, social setting,
and life of the composers
• Classical music, even without lyrics,
can express the deepest emotions,
share complex ideas, and create
revolutionary change
• Through this project, I intend to
portray a deeper sense of the music,
not only through the beauty of the
sound, but also the cultural context of
the pieces.
• J.S. Bach: Cello Suite I
• Antonín Dvořák : Concerto in B minor
• Sir Edward Elgar: Concerto in E minor
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
• German composer
• Greatest genius of
baroque music
• A devout Lutheran
Cello Suite I
• Among the most
popular pieces ever
written for the cello
• A tangible glimpse
into the time period
in which he wrote
– continual motion and
use of counterpoint
– a pre-established
sequence of dances
Cello Suite I
• Prelude
• Minuet I and II
• Gigue
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
• Czech composer and
one of the founders
of Czech national
school of music
• Found inspiration in
Bohemian folk tunes,
Gypsy rhythms, and
African-American
spirituals
The Concerto in B minor
• Written during 1894-1895
• Dvořák was Director of
the National
Conservatory of Music in
New York City from 18921895
• Dvořák had become
disenchanted and
increasingly homesick.
• Although written in the
United States, the cello
concerto emphasizes
Czech themes and
melodies
The Concerto in B minor
• Dvořák’s sister-inlaw Josefina
• Dvořák’s feeling for
his sister-in-law is
astoundingly
apparent in the cello
concerto
• The Adagio ma non
troppo contains her
favorite melody
“Leave Me Alone.”
Dvorak’s wife, Anna Cermakova
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
• British composer of
the romantic era
• Largely self-taught
in composition
• Composing in years
surrounding World
War One
The Concerto in E minor
Beatrice Harrison with cello,
accompanied by Elgar at the piano
• Begins unusually
for a concerto
• Highlights best
qualities of the
cello
• A lament of the
tragedy of war
• A plea to feel and
distain such
atrocities
Project Activities
Preparing pieces
 Learning a piece
requires many
hours of practice
 Practice follows a
natural sequence
 learning the notes
 refining the rhythm,
bowing, and
dynamics
 adding
expressiveness
appropriate to the
period
Project Activities
Live performances
 Linking up with other
musicians
Maintaining poise
 Getting a feel for the
acoustics of the
performance venue
Stable Sound
Portsmouth, RI
• General recording
devices were set up
in the studio
• A microphone was
placed in front of my
cello
• Device placed
beneath my cello’s
endpin to pick up
resonance.
Stable Sound
Portsmouth, RI
• Steve Rizzo: talented
recording engineer
• Knowledgeable
musician
The Result: A Cello Anthology
Alina R. Castro-Swonger, Cello
Cello Suite I:*
Track 1: Prelude
Track 2: Minuet I and II
Track 3: Gigue
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Concerto in B minor:**
Track 4: Adagio ma non troppo (mvt. 2)
Concerto in E minor:***
Track 5: Adagio (mvt. 1)
Bonus Track: Duet for Two Cellos:****
*Recorded by Steve Rizzo at Stable Sound in Portsmouth, RI.
**William Grueb, piano
***Eric Mazonson, piano
****Piera Caruso, cello
Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904)
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)