c. 1910–1950
Modern cello excerpts
This modern cello selection contains 12 excerpts. Begin with Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi, cellos: Languid, mysterious accompaniment to the famous flute solo. The dawn of musical Impressionism. The period label groups these works for discovery; it does not prescribe one tempo, articulation or sound for every composer.
Practise this selection
For cello, identify whether the passage carries the bass line, a tenor voice or the melody. Plan a shift through the phrase instead of practising only the arrival note, and check that the bow still has enough length for the end of a sustained line.
The recorded technique tags in this selection include orchestral, impressionist, lyrical, pizzicato, ballet. Choose one relevant passage, read its specific practice notes below, and set one listening target before a complete run. Tags describe the library entries, not a required exam syllabus.
Modern orchestral writing asks the cello section for rhythmic precision under irregular metres, extended colours such as sul ponticello and hard pizzicato, and exposed lines with no harmonic cushion. Counting becomes as decisive as tone.
The excerpts
Debussy, Prélude à l'après-midi, cellos
Vaughan Williams, Tallis Fantasia, pizz opening
Stravinsky, Rite of Spring, Introduction
Holst, The Planets, Jupiter, noble theme
Stravinsky, Firebird, Berceuse
Ravel, Boléro, opening cellos
Prokofiev, Romeo & Juliet, Dance of the Knights
Barber, Adagio for Strings, cello voice
Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5, I, opening
Bartók, Concerto for Orchestra, II, cellos
Copland, Appalachian Spring, Simple Gifts
Shostakovich, Cello Concerto No. 1, I, opening
Composers in this era
Other eras
Style is learned from the technique underneath
Arco's cello curriculum covers the bow strokes, positions, and clef reading these excerpts assume.