Haydn: Cello Concerto in D Major: III: Rondo

Performance of the last movement of Haydn's Cello Concerto in D Major. June 2008.

Some fun background info: For some time, music historians were unsure whether or not Haydn actually wrote this concerto; some scholars believed that the composer of the piece was Anton Kraft, Haydn's friend and the world's first cello virtuoso. It was later verified that the piece was, in fact, composed by Haydn, who intended for it to be performed by Kraft, accompanied by an orchestra of only about fourteen people. The concerto, however, was deemed too difficult to be played and as a result, it was not performed until about 180 years after its composition. It is still regarded as the most difficult cello concerto in the repertoire. Haydn himself was known for having a good sense of humour and I find that this movement in particular really exemplifies this. I find it profoundly ironic that one of the only light-hearted concertos written for the instrument is also the most challenging. The contrast between the blithe "maggiore" section and the melodramatic "minore" section borders on comical. The recurring section of the rondo comes back in one of the variations written upside-down. And the jocosity of the recurring theme bears an optimistic message of happiness prevailing.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cello
• Concerto
• in
• Major
• Josef
• Haydn
• June
• 2008
• Classical
• Hidinginastorm

[dwil5429]

great job! very musical. Haydn D is my least favorite concerto to play. So hard to keep in tune.

[Hidinginastorm]

Thank you!

[bosneageorge]

good job! looking forward for the first movement

[Hidinginastorm]

Thanks! I hope to be able to perform the entire thing with an orchestra someday soon... it is such a fun concerto =]

[Enix5548]

Lol this isn't the most diffcult concerto. There is still Schumann, Dvorak, Rococco variation, etc. Unless I misunderstood something.

[Hidinginastorm]

I hate to argue, but it is regarded in the professional world as the most difficult cello concerto... the only concerto that is occasionally considered more difficult is the Barber. Schumann is up there, too, but Dvorak and Rococo are not as hard as they sound. I don't want to sound like I am bragging about being able to play the Haydn... I am still an incredibly long way off from being able to play it at a truly professional level!

[celloguy27]

the mainstream most difficult cello concertos (no specific order):

Barber

Haydn D

Prokofiev Sinfonia Concertante

[enri2102]

Genial peciosa! soy tu fan!

[marcusyuguang]

@Hidinginastorm

personally, i find Haydn in C harder

[Avada10]

@15cellist Yeah that Haydn is transformed to a sad fight between soloist and orchestra for owning a candy:(

[maiarho]

At first I was a bit sceptical because this piece of music is so incredibly hard. But the second half was played so beautifully that I could forget about all my concerns ;-)

[Oksanaviola]

Пипец!!!!!!!

[15cellist]

how can you post this?

terrible...

[15cellist]

@zaokoyechatma : yes!!! terrible!!!!

[zaokoyechatma]

THis sounds bad!!!!

[Jangof3tt]

Great performance! I really enjoyed listening to and watching you play. I must ask however, why a piano bench?