KLENGEL – Double Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.45 – TWO CELLO SOLOISTS AND PIANO REDUCTION

Other Identification:
Julius Klengel became the principal cellist at the Gewandhaus Orchestra and served as the cellist of the Gewandhaus Quartet. He toured extensively throughout Germany and Europe and eventually accepted an appointment at the Leipzig Conservatory. Young cellists from all corners of the world flocked to Leipzig in order to receive his instruction.
As a composer he composed several hundred pieces for the cello. Among them are four cello concertos, two double cello concertos, cello quartets, a cello sonata, as well as numerous caprices, etudes and other didactic studies.
The concerto for 2 Cellos and Orchestra, Op. 45 is unique because the dialogue between the two soloists takes the place of the more usual dialogue between the solo cello and the orchestra. It often has the impression of three or four solo cellos, due to the amount of double and triple stoppings – this is especially the case in the long soloists cadenza after the second movement.. It was premiered under Artur Nikisch on 19th December 1912. Klengel and his 21-year old daughter Eva performed the solo parts.