Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85 Cover Image

Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85: Conductor Score

$60.00 USD
$60.00 USD
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Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85 Cover Image
Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85: Conductor Score

Concerto for Cello in E minor, Op. 85: Conductor Score

By Edward Elgar / arr. Nancy M. Bradburd

Item: 36-A820401
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Description
Considered the last notable work of Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934), his Cello Concerto is a cornerstone of the solo violoncello repertoire. Composed in the aftermath of World War I, it premiered in October of 1919. The premier was reportedly quite the debacle, as Elgar (as director) and the performers of the London Symphony Orchestra had not been allotted proper rehearsal time from director Albert Coates, who overran his rehearsal time at Elgar’s expense. Composed in the summer of 1919, the first theme supposedly came to Elgar during a dangerous procedure to remove an infected tonsil. Upon waking from sedation, he asked for a pencil and paper and began sketching out the melody. The Cello Concerto did not achieve popularity until the 1960’s, where a recording by renowned cellist Jacqueline du Pré made it into a classical best-seller, driving a popularity that remains through today. Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc[opt]).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1[opt]: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Cello.

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Additional Details
Series: Nieweg Performance Editions - Kalmus
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-63-887892-7
ISBN13: 978-1-63-887892-6
UPC: 746241214058
SKU: 36-A820401
Instrumentation: 2(2dPicc[opt]).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1[opt]: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set): Solo Cello

More about this title

About the Composer: Edward Elgar

Edward Elgar (1857, 1934) stands as one of Britain's most significant composers, bridging the Romantic and modern eras with a voice distinctly his own. His mastery of orchestration and gift for sweeping, memorable melody earned him international recognition, though much of his catalog remained underappreciated during his lifetime. The Cello Concerto, composed near the end of his career, distills decades of craft into a work of profound intimacy and structural clarity.

Elgar's later years were marked by creative productivity despite the upheaval of World War I and personal loss. Rather than yielding to pessimism, he channeled his reflections into chamber and smaller orchestral works that revealed a deeper, more introspective side of his compositional voice. The Cello Concerto became his final major orchestral work, cementing his legacy as a composer unafraid to embrace vulnerability alongside grandeur.

Why we love this

Elgar's Cello Concerto reads beautifully on the podium, with orchestral writing that supports rather than overshadows the soloist. The emotional arc is immediate and gripping, pulling listeners in from the opening measures, making it an excellent choice for programs that need both substance and genuine audience connection. Its popularity since the du Pré era means your audience may already know and love this work, which adds special energy to a live performance.

What to expect

The Cello Concerto opens with a sense of quiet introspection, almost like overhearing a private conversation. Despite its formal structure and orchestral scope, it maintains an intimate quality throughout, with moments of lyricism interrupted by bursts of dramatic urgency. The work balances nostalgia with restlessness, never quite settling into comfort, making it both deeply moving and subtly unsettling.

Who it's for

Conductors seeking a substantial solo concerto that challenges both orchestra and cellist while remaining emotionally accessible to audiences. This work suits ambitious community orchestras, university ensembles, and regional symphonies looking to program a beloved classic alongside a featured soloist.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the orchestral opening with a gentle forward motion; Elgar's tempo indications are guides, not absolutes, and the music breathes better when conductors allow for natural ebb and flow rather than metronomic rigidity.
  • Balance the solo cello carefully against the full orchestra in tutti sections. The orchestration is transparent by design, but rehearsal time spent on dynamic relationships between winds and strings will pay dividends.
  • Coordinate closely with your soloist on fermata placement and cadential timing, particularly in the first and final movements where Elgar's formal structures create natural opportunities for dialogue between conductor and cellist.
  • Pay attention to the optional piccolo and tuba parts; deciding whether to include them shapes the overall color and weight of the work significantly.

How to use it

Program this as the centerpiece of a concert exploring British Romanticism, pairing it with shorter Elgar orchestral works or contemporaneous chamber pieces to create a coherent evening. It also serves beautifully as the major work on a mixed chamber orchestra program, particularly when you want to showcase a talented cello soloist without requiring a full symphonic orchestra.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing solo and tutti textures in post-Romantic scoring
  • Conducting extended lyrical passages with natural phrasing
  • Coordinating with a featured soloist across formal structures
  • Interpreting Edwardian tempo and expression markings
  • Managing optional orchestration parts (piccolo, tuba) for desired color

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