3 Concert Pieces

The 3 Concert Pieces for Cello and Piano were written in 2023 to honor the dedicatee of this work, who at the time of writing the composition had started study in Cello performance alongside being a contemporary conductor. Alec started off his playing career by playing the cello in String Quartets and Symphony Orchestras when he was in school, however he also picked up conducting and is well known for being the creator of the hashtag #conductortok on TikTok to promote other conductors in his field of music. Although Alec loves to work as a conductor, he had turned back to his roots as a cellist and at the time of writing these pieces was going back to college to study Cello performance. The 3 Concert Pieces were inspired by his love of studying for the Cello and performing on said instrument. The 3 Pieces are divided into 3 "Movements": Allegro ma non tanto (A Major) Adagio Cantabile (F Major) Allegro Vivace (D Major) The 3 pieces are written in keys most suitable for the Cello and Piano to perform in and consist of various techniques used by string instrument players past and present. This is used to show off Alec's promising skill as a Cellist as well as to show off the Cello's true expressive merit in the world of classical chamber music. These 3 works can be performed together in a concert setting like a sonata, or the performer can choose their favorite movement and perform that single movement. It's all up to the performer! Performance Notes: The 1st Concert Piece "Movement" is heavily inspired by the first movement of Beethoven's 3rd Cello Sonata in A Major, Op. 69. The movement must be played not too passionately, but with nobility and even a slight amount of pastoralism. This Piece is in Cut Time The 2nd Concert Piece "Movement" is filled with calming, stream-like melodies with a strong sense of beauty. There are many passages filled with such motion from the Cello as well as the Piano, this movement is to be played with slightly more passion than the 1st Concert Piece. This Piece is in 2/4 time The 3rd Concert Piece "Movement" is a romping dance in 4/4 time with quick, foot-stomping rhythms and melodies soaring high into the Cello's Tenor Register. This piece is to be played quickly, joyously, and even jokingly, like a scherzo.