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Which composers wrote major Romantic cello concertos?
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concerto
Caricature of Antonio Vivaldi, pen and ink on paper by Pier Leone Ghezzi, 1723; in the Codex Ottoboni, Vatican Library, Rome. The inscription below the drawing reads, “Il Prete rosso Compositore di Musica che fece L'opera a Capranica del 1723” (“The red priest, composer of music who made the opera at Capranica [College in Rome] of 1723”).
During the Romantic era, several composers contributed significant works to the cello concerto repertoire. Among the most frequently performed and highly regarded are the concertos by Robert Schumann, Camille Saint-Saëns, Antonín Dvořák, and Sir Edward Elgar.12
Key highlights include:
- Robert Schumann: His Cello Concerto in A Minor (1850) is noted as one of the era's most played works for the instrument.13
- Camille Saint-Saëns: He produced concertos that remain staples of the repertoire.12
- Antonín Dvořák: His Cello Concerto in B Minor, Op. 104 (1896) is widely considered one of the most frequently performed and admired cello concertos, celebrated for its lyrical writing and rich orchestration.142
- Sir Edward Elgar: His Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85 (1919) is a major late-Romantic contribution that remains a cornerstone of the cello literature.52
Additionally, the works of Édouard Lalo are also recognized as notable concertos for the instrument.2