Continuations for violoncello (Benjamin Britten)

The compositions of Benjamin Britten for the Violoncelle are five: a sonata for violoncello and piano COp 65, a concerto in 1964 and three continuations between 1965 and 1974. They are due to a narrow friendship between Mstislav Rostropovitch and the type-setter, begun in 1960.

The continuations last being six in the preliminary draft, elaborate during a meal in 1964, like those of Johann Sebastian Bach, but the disease of Britten did not allow the completion of the cycle beyond the third part. They however form part of major works of the 20th century for this instrument and constantly refer to the cantor of Leipzig: presence of a part fuguée in each one among them, the second ending in a chaconne and the third by a passacaille.

continuation n°1, COp 72 , was written in 1964 and was created with the festival of Aldeburgh by Mstislav Rostropovitch. It is composed of six sections gathered in three pairs.

continuation n°2, COp 80 , was written in 1967 and was also created by Mstislav Rostropovitch. It is composed of five movements:

Declamato : largo
Fuga: andante
Scherzo: allegro molto
Andante lento
Ciaccona: allegro

continuation n°3, COp 87 , was written in 1971 and was created by Mstislav Rostropovitch. In December 1974. It is composed of nine movements, resting on four Russian popular topics:

Introduzione : lento
Marcia : allegro
Canto: idiot motor bike
Barcarola: lento
Dialogo : allegretto
Fuga : andante espressivo
Recitativo: fantastico
Motor bike perpetuo: presto
Passacaglia : lento solenne

Random links: