“Concerto No.1 for Cello and Orchestra, Op.107 in E flat Major” by Dmitri Sostakovici

Abstract

In „Concerto no. 1 for cello and orchestra, op.107 in E flat major”, being the most important of Shostakovici’s works, after Symphony no. 11, the solo instrument represents a complex "character" which makes a dialogue or has a confrontation with the orchestral ensemble segments. The orchestra is made up of a piccolo flute, a flute, two oboes, two clarinets (in B flat and A), a bassoon, a contrabassoon, a horn (in F), timpani, a celesta, and the strings quintet. The instrumental nuances intertwine with the virtuosity of the solo parts. The cantilena feature of the solo episodes, marked by elements of improvisation, is combined with the declamatory "monologue" of the orchestra.