Solos for Young Cellists Cello Part and Piano Acc., Volume 5: Cello Book

This volume strikes a genuine balance between repertoire you know cellists should eventually master (Elgar's romance-like melody, Schumann's lyrical gestures) and pieces that energize practice sessions without feeling didactic. Cheney's curation shows a teacher's ear for what sustains engagement across the middle years of study while building toward serious solo literature.

Moving through this collection feels like traveling across centuries and moods. You encounter the tender, song-like quality of Elgar's romance, the baroque ornamentation of Couperin, the lyrical introspection of Schumann and Bridge, and the virtuosic energy of Popper and the contemporary minimalism of Summer's Julie-O. Each piece expands what the cello can express.

Advanced elementary through early intermediate cellists who are ready to explore multiple musical styles and extended techniques beyond their primary method. Teachers seeking a diverse set of solos that balance established masterworks with fresh, engaging pieces will find this an essential resource.

• Return to the recorded accompaniment after drilling individual passages; the piano part will clarify tempo relationships and phrase shapes that are harder to sense in isolation.
• Map out position shifts ahead of time, especially in the Couperin movements, so technical decisions don't interrupt musical phrasing.
• Listen closely to the recording's articulation choices in the contrasting pieces (Mazurka against Air de Diable); these recordings model stylistic approaches that transfer to other solo playing.

Use individual selections as recital showpieces that match specific concert themes or technical goals within a season. The variety makes it easy to build a mixed-genre solo recital or to pair contrasting pieces on a chamber concert featuring multiple cellists at varying levels.

• Reading and performing in multiple keys and positions
• Interpreting baroque style, including ornamentation and keyboard realization
• Romantic-era phrasing and tone color management
• Contemporary techniques and minimalist rhythmic structures
• Coordinating with piano accompaniment and managing ensemble timing
• Quick stylistic adjustment across contrasting genres within one practice session