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MUSIC FOR CELLO AND PIANO
FLUCTUATIONS
Duration:
10 minutes
Instrumentation:
cello and piano
Year Composed:
2017
Written For:
Noémi Boutin and Marie Vermeulin
Commissioned By:
Festival de Chaillol
Michaël Dian, artistic director
Premiere Performance:
7 August 2017
Gap, France
Noémi Boutin, cello
Marie Vermeulin, piano
Contemporary cello and piano repertoire
Program Notes:
I composed "Fluctuations" for cello and piano in response to an invitation from Michaël Dian, the artistic director of the Festival de Chaillol. The piece was specifically crafted for the exceptional cellist Noémi Boutin, who had previously performed my composition "Fantasy" for solo cello, and the nuanced pianist Marie Vermeulin.
Fluctuations - for cello and piano
performed by Noémi Boutin, cello and Marie Vermeulin, piano
Fluctuations
for cello and piano
VIDEO
Fluctuations - for cello and piano
performed by Ella Toovy, cello and Michal Tal, piano
Score of Fluctuations for cello and piano
Additional Key Works for Cello and Piano
1. Claude Debussy – Cello Sonata in D minor (1915)
A cornerstone of the cello-piano repertoire, Debussy’s sonata combines impressionistic color with profound emotional resonance.
2. Sergei Prokofiev – Sonata for Cello and Piano in C major, Op. 119 (1949)
Written late in Prokofiev’s life, this sonata balances lyricism and dramatic intensity with a distinctly Russian voice.
3. Dmitri Shostakovich – Cello Sonata in D minor, Op. 40 (1934)
A deeply expressive work, full of contrast, that reflects Shostakovich’s early mature style.
4. Francis Poulenc – Cello Sonata (1948)
Blending wit and lyricism, Poulenc’s sonata is both elegant and emotionally direct.
5. Benjamin Britten – Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 65 (1961)
A complex and powerful piece, showcasing Britten’s unique voice and sensitivity to the cello’s expressive range.
6. Elliott Carter – Cello Sonata (1948)
A challenging, rhythmically intricate sonata that pushes technical and musical boundaries.
7. Samuel Barber – Cello Sonata, Op. 6 (1932)
A romantic and lush early work, blending traditional forms with American lyricism.
8. Paul Hindemith – Cello Sonata, Op. 11 No. 3 (1919)
An early modernist work combining harmonic innovation with structural clarity.
9. Ernst Bloch – Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 45 (1939)
A deeply emotional and dramatic sonata reflecting the turmoil of its time.
10. Arthur Honegger – Sonata for Cello and Piano (1920)
Lyrical and modern, this sonata features the composer’s characteristic blend of classical form and 20th-century color.
11. György Ligeti – Sonata for Cello Solo (1948–53)
Though originally solo, the sonata’s intense textures have inspired transcriptions and arrangements with piano.
12. George Crumb – Sonata for Cello and Piano (1954)
Early Crumb work with innovative sonorities and a poetic sensibility.
13. Henri Dutilleux – Tout un monde lointain… (1970)
Though originally for cello and orchestra, piano reductions are common; a masterpiece of modern cello repertoire, inspired by poetry and rich in color.
14. John Corigliano – Sonata for Cello and Piano (1992)
A powerful and expressive work, blending lyrical melodies with modern harmonic language, reflecting Corigliano’s deeply emotional style.
15. Jennifer Higdon – Sonata for Cello and Piano (2001)
A vibrant, rhythmically energetic work from a leading contemporary American composer.