Ten American Cello Etudes
Encyclopedia
Ten American Cello Etudes is the first set of cello
etude
s of Aaron Minsky published by Oxford University Press
. The set was published in 1988, making this the first set of cello etudes in a modern American style to be published by a major publisher. The last famous set of cello etudes to be published were the David Popper
"High School of Cello Playing" which were published almost a hundred years previously.
In the introduction to "Ten American Cello Etudes", Minsky speaks about how in the past composers were able to bend music in order to reflect their time period and country. He argues that certain instruments like the guitar and bass were able to make the transition into modern popular music while the cello was assigned a "dignified yet restricted" role. It was his goal to write cello music that would teach other cellists how to bring the cello into all of the currents of modern popular music. Indeed, Minsky's etudes include the following genres: rock n' roll, blues, Latin, folk, country, hard rock, experimental, American waltz. They do provide a blueprint for a new style of cello playing.
Since publication, "Ten American Cello Etudes" have been performed around the world. They are in the curricula of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.) , the American String Teachers Association
, and others. They have been recorded by Lawrence Stomberg, professor of cello, University of Delaware
(U.S.), and David Johnstone, principal cellist of the Sarasate Symphony (Spain). A recording of some of the pieces was made by Sebastian Comberti (U.K.) for the Associated Board. Jeffrey Solow, chair of the Department of Instrumental Studies at Temple University
(Pennsylvania), and editor of The Violoncello Society Newsletter (New York), included "Ten American Cello Etudes" in his published list of "standard cello repertoire."
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
etude
Étude
An étude , is an instrumental musical composition, most commonly of considerable difficulty, usually designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular technical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano...
s of Aaron Minsky published by Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
. The set was published in 1988, making this the first set of cello etudes in a modern American style to be published by a major publisher. The last famous set of cello etudes to be published were the David Popper
David Popper
David Popper was a Bohemian cellist and composer.-Life:He was born in Prague, and studied music at the Prague Conservatory. He studied the cello under Julius Goltermann , and soon attracted attention...
"High School of Cello Playing" which were published almost a hundred years previously.
In the introduction to "Ten American Cello Etudes", Minsky speaks about how in the past composers were able to bend music in order to reflect their time period and country. He argues that certain instruments like the guitar and bass were able to make the transition into modern popular music while the cello was assigned a "dignified yet restricted" role. It was his goal to write cello music that would teach other cellists how to bring the cello into all of the currents of modern popular music. Indeed, Minsky's etudes include the following genres: rock n' roll, blues, Latin, folk, country, hard rock, experimental, American waltz. They do provide a blueprint for a new style of cello playing.
Since publication, "Ten American Cello Etudes" have been performed around the world. They are in the curricula of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.) , the American String Teachers Association
American String Teachers Association
The American String Teacher's Association is a professional organization based in the United States for music teachers. It is the largest such national organization in the US for string teachers. It promotes learning to play string instruments in the next generation of American students, and...
, and others. They have been recorded by Lawrence Stomberg, professor of cello, University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
(U.S.), and David Johnstone, principal cellist of the Sarasate Symphony (Spain). A recording of some of the pieces was made by Sebastian Comberti (U.K.) for the Associated Board. Jeffrey Solow, chair of the Department of Instrumental Studies at Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
(Pennsylvania), and editor of The Violoncello Society Newsletter (New York), included "Ten American Cello Etudes" in his published list of "standard cello repertoire."