Cello Concerto (Schumann)
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The Cello Concerto in A minor by Robert Schumann was completed in 1850, shortly after Schumann became the music director of Düsseldorf.
The piece is in three movements:
- Nicht zu schnell
- Langsam
- Sehr lebhaft
Like some of Schumann's other concerti, the first movement of the cello concerto begins with a very short orchestral introduction followed by the solo introduction, which in turn is followed by a short tutti that leads into a lyrical melody.
The second movement is a very short lyrical movement in which the soloist plays mainly in double stops.
Schumann famously abhorred receiving applause between movements. As a result, many of his works, including the cello concerto, contain no break between the last two movements. The third movement features a cadenza followed by a short orchestral ending.