# Elgar, Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

One of the most iconic openings in the cello repertoire, a wrenching recitative ascending across all four strings.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Edward Elgar

- **Work:** Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85

- **Movement:** I. Adagio – Moderato (opening recitative)

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1919

- **Key:** E

- **Metre:** 4/4

- **Tempo:** Nobilmente approximately 60 BPM

- **Clef:** Tenor clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

Massive down-bows on each chord, full bow, dig in but don't crunch.

## Fingering

Practice the four-string sweep separately. Land each note in tune cold.

## Style

Nobilmente, Elgar's favorite marking. Dignified grief.

## Techniques

concerto, audition, recitative, tenor-clef, famous

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Strauss: Don Juan, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-don-juan), The most-asked orchestra audition excerpt for cello, a heroic, virtuoso opening that demands speed, precision, and bravura. Audition; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Strauss: Ein Heldenleben, hero theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/strauss-heldenleben), The hero's grand, expansive theme. Cellos and horns surge upward over three octaves. Audition; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Tchaikovsky: Rococo Variations, theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-rococo), Tchaikovsky's tribute to the classical era. Pure, transparent, devilishly hard to play with simplicity. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Tenor clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 2, V, cello/bass recit.](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/mahler-2-v), A free cello/bass recitative, every player must phrase as a soloist within the section. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Bruch: Kol Nidrei](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/bruch-kol-nidrei), Bruch's setting of the Yom Kippur prayer for cello and orchestra. Deeply expressive cantorial line. Advanced; Late-Romantic; Bass clef.
- [Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6, I, second theme](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/tchaik-6-i), The famous lyrical second theme, soaring, heart-on-sleeve. Cello section in unison. Intermediate; Late-Romantic; Bass clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/cello/elgar-concerto-i