Cello Concerto, Air for strings, Elegiac Variations
TOVEY, Sir Donald Francis

Catalogue Number: TOCC0038
EAN: 5060113440389
Release Date: 06 April 2006
Duration: 67:04

Air for strings
Elegiac Variations, Op. 25, for cello and piano
Cello Concerto, Op. 40

Peter Shore, arranger
Alice Neary, cello
Ulster Orchestra
George Vass, conductor
Gretel Dowdeswell, piano

Donald Tovey (1875-1940) has long been known as one of the finest writers on music in English – but he saw himself primarily as a composer. His Cello Concerto – written for his friend Pablo Casals in 1932-33 – may be the longest in history; indeed, as he worked on the score he wrote to a friend that the first movement would be a ‘record-breaker’ and ‘much the juiciest’ music he had yet produced. The work sits mid-way between Brahms and Elgar, but has a lyrical and dignified voice that is uniquely Tovey’s. The contrasting tone of the dark, heroic Elegiac Variations was inspired by the death of Robert Hausmann, cellist of the Joachim Quartet and a cherished chamber-music partner of Tovey’s. And the charming Air for strings reveals his delight in a well-turned Classical theme.

Read about TOVEY, Sir Donald Francis | Read Reviews
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See also:

• Tovey: Symphony in D, Bride Of Dionysus: Prelude
• Tovey: Chamber Music, Volume 1
• Burger: Orchestral Music

Track Listing, MP3 Downloads & Streaming Samples

Track No.	Track Title/Details	Duration	Sample	Download Track
	Cello Concerto, Op. 40 (1932-33) Sir Donald Francis Tovey, composer Alice Neary, cello Ulster Orchestra George Vass, conductor (first digital recording)	54:33
1	I. Allegro Moderato	25:31
2	II. Andante Maestoso	12:01
3	III. Intermezzo: Andante innocente, con moto quasi allegretto	2:41
4	IV. Rondo: Allegro giocoso	14:20
5	Air (Andante cantabile) for strings (1933) [arr. Peter Shore] Sir Donald Francis Tovey, composer Peter Shore, arranger Ulster Orchestra George Vass, conductor (first recording)	2:22
6	Elegiac Variations, Op. 25, for cello and piano (1933) Sir Donald Francis Tovey, composer Alice Neary, cello Gretel Dowdeswell, piano	10:09

Artists

Sir Donald Francis Tovey, composer

Peter Shore, arranger

Alice Neary, cello

Ulster Orchestra, orchestra

George Vass, conductor

Gretel Dowdeswell, piano