Cello Concerto (Bates)

The Cello Concerto has a duration of roughly 25 minutes and is composed in three movements:

1. Con moto–Grazioso–Con moto
2. Serene
3. Léger

The work is scored for solo cello and orchestra, where the orchestra consists of two flutes (2nd doubling piccolo and alto flute), two oboes, two clarinets (2nd doubling bass clarinet), two bassoons (2nd doubling contrabassoon), four French horns, three trumpets, two tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, three percussionists, harp, and strings.

Reviewing the world premiere, Melinda Bargreen of The Seattle Times praised the work for its "audience-friendly tonal language" and Techno-inspired orchestration. Bargreen wrote, "Attractive and tonal, featuring a first-rate soloist, this was a premiere that an audience could really appreciate, and the standing ovation was so enthusiastic that Roman finally returned for a solo encore".{{cite web |last=Bargreen |first=Melinda |title=Joshua Roman introduces a world-class world premiere |work=The Seattle Times |date=December 12, 2014 |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/joshua-roman-introduces-a-world-class-world-premiere/ |accessdate=July 6, 2015}} Philippa Kiraly of the Classical Voice North America also lauded the piece, saying its "classical lyricism and melody combine fluidly with blues, jazz elements, and techno rhythms that come straight from the 21st-century electronic club scene." Lynn Green of The Columbus Dispatch commended Bates for "capitaliz[ing] on the natural, organic aspects of musicianship in his cello concerto." Green added, "This challenging work is not so much about melody as expressions of color, texture and energy."{{cite web |last=Green |first=Lynn |title=Review: Columbus Symphony director designee's debut avoids leaning on standards |work=The Columbus Dispatch |date=February 1, 2015 |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2015/02/01/directors-debut-avoids-leaning-on-standards.html |accessdate=July 6, 2015}}

Roman has since performed the concerto to critical acclaim with such orchestras as the [http://www.berkeleysymphony.org/ Berkeley Symphony], the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.{{cite news |url=http://newsok.com/article/5462373 |title=Review: Invigorating Oklahoma City Philharmonic concert featured intriguing star | work=The Oklahoman |author=Rick Rogers |date=November 23, 2015 | accessdate=May 14, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/lifestyles/arts/columnists/scott-cantrell/20160109-bates-to-beethoven-an-exhilarating-fort-worth-symphony-concert.ece |title=Bates to Beethoven, an exhilarating Fort Worth Symphony concert |work=The Dallas Morning News |author=Scott Cantrell |date=January 9, 2016 | accessdate=May 14, 2016}}

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150709140730/http://www.masonbates.com/work/work-cello.html Mason Bates' page on his Cello Concerto]

{{Mason Bates}}

Category:Compositions by Mason Bates

Category:2014 compositions

Bates

Category:21st-century classical music

Category:Music commissioned by the Seattle Symphony

Category:Music commissioned by the Columbus Symphony Orchestra

Category:Music commissioned by the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

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