BIENE, Auguste van – The Broken Melody (1892) – CELLO AND PIANO

Other Identification:
‘The Broken Melody’ was the most famous composition of Auguste van Biene, and comes from his own music for a play that he commissioned in 1892; it was a three-act play “The Broken Melody” in which a particular tune which was also called “The Broken Melody.” This tune, “The Broken Melody”, became an instant success, and the song is still remembered today.

Audiences loved it, especially in the moment when the melody stops and we have a momentary absolute silence! Van Biene performed it 6,000 times! It was even included in two early movies! Apart from this tune, the second act of the play includes a short cello recital by a cellist. Van Biene, of course in the starring role, varied his selections every night, often playing his own arrangement of Kol Nidrei. Critics named him the “Magician of the Cello,” since he played in a very emotional manner, and was able to completely captivate the audience.

It was published for cello and piano, but I believe it also lays perfectly in two new versions available in Johnston-Music; one with cello soloist and ‘normal’ string orchestra (very easy for the strings!) and another with cello soloist and orchestra of cellos (or equally well cello soloist accompanied by a cello quartet, making a cello quintet).

I therefore feel that it would be very nice to maintain this piece in the cello repertoire, in whichever way you prefer, after such a rich history!