Everything But Bach : Playable Solo Cello Repertoire.

As the Covid-19 Pandemic stretches on, many cellists are finding themselves at home craving something to play. We all know about the 6 Suites for Solo Cello by J.S. Bach, but what about everything else? Recently in my Lake Field Music Camp course, my cello class asked for me to create a list of repertoire that was playable for the average adult amateur player. I think this is a great idea, so I have started with a list of pieces that I know. This is by no means exhaustive, and I welcome your comments and additional recommendations. The goal of this list is to provide music that is accessible and enjoyable for cello students to work on alone, with or without the assistance of a teacher. These are all original, unaccompanied pieces that require no accompaniment or backing track. Pieces range from intermediate to advanced levels, in many different styles. Certain movements within a Suite may have different difficulty levels, so keep looking through the movements if at first glance something seems too hard. I have tried to group the pieces stylistically and with some indication of difficulty, although that is very subjective.

Baroque or Baroque Influenced – Intermediate to Advanced

Joseph Dall’Abaco, 11 Capricci for Violincello solo (likely 1770’s)

Giuseppe Colombi, Chiacona a Basso Solo (1670’s?)

Gaspar Cassado, Fugue in the Style of Handel (1949)

Domenico Galli, Tratimento musicale sopra il violoncello : 12 Sonatas (1691)

Domenico Gabrielli, Seven Ricercars (1689)

Francesco Paolo Supriani, 12 Toccatas for violoncello solo (1720)

Giovanni Vitali, Partite sopra diverse instrumenti per il Violone (1680)

Romantic Style – Advanced, challenging

Ernest Bloch, Three Suites for Unaccompanied Cello (1956/57)

Max Reger, Three Suites for Solo Cello, Op. 131c (1915)

Jean Sibelius, Theme and Variations for solo cello (1887)

Contemporary Classical Style - Intermediate to Advanced

Enric Casals, Suite in D Minor for solo cello (1973) intermediate

Reena Esmail, Varsha : Rain (2019)

Philip Glass, Orbit for solo cello (2013) advanced

Philip Glass, Songs and Poems (2007) advanced

Rudolf Matz, Eleven Cappricios (1981) varied intermediate to advanced

Rudolf Matz, Tema con Variazioni (1981) intermediate

Rudolf Matz, Suite in C major for violoncello solo (1981) intermediate

Rudolf Matz, Lights and Shadows Suite for Violoncello Solo (1981) intermediate

Wilma Pistorius, Looking for the Possible Embrace, (2020) intermediate

George Perle, Hebrew Melodies for Unaccompanied Cello (1915) advanced

William Walton, Passacaglia for Violoncello Solo (1982) advanced

Folk Influenced – Intermediate to Advanced

Stephen Brown – 6 Cello Suites (folk, rock & Bach influences) (2005)

Mark O'Connor – Appalachia Waltz (1999)

Mark Summers, Julie-O (1988)

Ilse de Ziah, Irish Airs for Solo Cello (2010)

Method Books with Original or Traditional Compositions:

Mary Cohen, Technique Takes Off

Rick Mooney, Double Stops for Cello

The Canadian Music Centre has several solo cello works which are included on the Royal Conservatory of Music repertoire lists at various levels. I am not familiar with all of the music, but this is a great resource.

The Cello Museum is currently running a blog titled “That’s What She Said : Postcards from Erica” featuring a curated list of music at beginner, novice and advanced levels written by female composers. Check it out at: https://cellomuseum.org//?s=that%27s+what+she+said&submit=

Let me know if you have any additions to this list!