Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 Cover Image

Concerto No. 1, Op. 33: Cello, Solo with Piano, Solo and Piano

$13.95 USD
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Concerto No. 1, Op. 33 Cover Image
Concerto No. 1, Op. 33: Cello, Solo with Piano, Solo and Piano

Concerto No. 1, Op. 33: Cello, Solo with Piano, Solo and Piano

By Camille Saint-Saëns, eds. Janos Starker & Emilio Colon

Item: 36-M385491
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Description
Saint-Saens' first Concerto is often dismissed as a lightweight composition. However, it has power, delicacy, brilliance, and a wealth of possibilities for color. The fact that young players are required to learn it at an early phase should not diminish its value.

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Additional Details
Series: Starker Performance Editions - LudwigMasters
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 1-62-156149-6
ISBN13: 978-1-62-156149-1
UPC: 660355066153
SKU: 36-M385491
Instrumentation: Cello and Piano

More about this title

About the Composer: Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saëns (1835, 1921) was a French composer, organist, and pianist whose technical mastery and prolific output shaped the Romantic era. He wrote five cello concertos, but his first remains the most frequently performed, introduced to the world by the legendary cellist Auguste Franchomme in 1873. Saint-Saëns possessed an almost encyclopedic knowledge of orchestration and form, qualities evident even in works written for young musicians.

His cello concertos occupy a unique place in the standard repertoire: they demand genuine musicianship while remaining accessible to advancing students. Unlike some showpieces designed merely to impress, Saint-Saëns wrote for the instrument itself, understanding what makes the cello sing. His influence on cello pedagogy runs deep; generations of young players have cut their teeth on these works.

Why we love this

This concerto teaches young cellists the difference between facility and artistry. While early students often view it as a stepping stone, mature playing reveals genuine sophistication in its harmonic language and textural possibilities. The Starker Performance Editions bring authoritative interpretation to a work that deserves far more serious attention than it typically receives.

What to expect

Elegant and transparent, with a Classical poise underlying Romantic sentiment. The writing sparkles without overshadowing the lyrical core; there are moments of virtuosic brightness alongside passages of genuine intimacy between soloist and keyboard.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced high school cellists and beginning college players who are ready to move beyond purely pedagogical repertoire. This concerto works equally well for motivated younger students with solid technique and mature musical instincts.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the opening theme as song, not as a technical exercise. The beauty lies in a singing tone and thoughtful phrasing, not speed.
  • Balance the dialogue between soloist and pianist carefully. The piano part supports but also plays a genuine role in the musical conversation.
  • Explore the dynamic range available within a single phrase. Saint-Saëns writes with restraint, and understated coloristic choices often outweigh dramatic gestures.
  • Pay attention to the transitions between sections. They are brief and require clear articulation to maintain structural coherence.

How to use it

Pair this with lighter chamber works or contemporary pieces in a recital setting to frame it as serious solo repertoire rather than a student exercise. It also serves as an excellent competition piece, since it requires interpretive maturity alongside clean technique.

Skills your students will build

  • Lyrical phrasing over extended single lines
  • Balance and dialogue between soloist and accompanist
  • Shifting between virtuosic passages and singing melodic writing
  • Harmonic awareness and voice leading in Romantic idiom
  • Articulation clarity without sacrificing legato character

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