one out of four pieces

June 11, 2005 4:09 PM

Looking for music featuring the cello.

Preferably not orchestral, though other classical would be good. I already know about and love Apocalyptica, and have heard a couple of Rasputina songs I like. Incidentally, for any anime+music heads out there -- the song that made me fall in love with the instrument is "Shadow of Doubt," off the Escaflowne soundtrack. (Would link if I could find one...)

posted by e^2 to media & arts (24 comments total)

Did you see this previous question?
posted by vacapinta at 4:17 PM on June 11, 2005

You should be able to find something you like at ClassicCat.
posted by bmckenzie at 4:31 PM on June 11, 2005

Ah, Bach! Ah, Fournier!
posted by IndigoJones at 4:35 PM on June 11, 2005

Jorane is awesome.
posted by cmonkey at 4:39 PM on June 11, 2005

The Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich is really extraordinary. You can find several recordings (including a massive boxed set spanning his career) on EMI.
posted by aladfar at 4:42 PM on June 11, 2005

The cello features prominently on Per Aspera Ad Astra by Stars of the Lid. Sample excerpt.
posted by dobbs at 4:43 PM on June 11, 2005

Nick Drake - "Cello song" has a pretty good riff.
posted by fire&wings at 5:34 PM on June 11, 2005

`Flames' by Vast is pretty good.
posted by tomble at 5:37 PM on June 11, 2005

I had not seen the previous tangential cello question -- did search too! -- thanks for pointing it out.
posted by e^2 at 5:48 PM on June 11, 2005

I just saw Erik Friedlander open for the Mountain Goats. His cello playing is not exactly classical, to be fair. But well worth a listen.
posted by escabeche at 6:02 PM on June 11, 2005

The Julliard String Quartet playing "The Art of the Fugue."

Verbow is an indie rock band (now defunct, I think) that featured a cellist.
posted by mzurer at 6:12 PM on June 11, 2005

David Darling (as I mentioned in the other thread - what can I say? I like the guy's music).
posted by biscotti at 6:43 PM on June 11, 2005

About 20 mins before reading this question I stumbled upon what I think is the best cello music I've ever heard:
Arvo Pärt - Fratres for Cellos
I downloaded it from Columbia University Orchestra's audio page
So somber and beautiful...
posted by soplerfo at 7:07 PM on June 11, 2005

DJ Shadow - Midnight in a Perfect World.
posted by abcde at 9:02 PM on June 11, 2005

A nifty little indie band called Mabel features prominently some lovely cello playing.

Full disclosure: the singer/keyboardist is a good friend of mine.
posted by Dr. Wu at 9:42 PM on June 11, 2005

Apocalyptica - these guys are a string quartet (?) that covers Metallica.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 10:39 PM on June 11, 2005

if you like electronic/dancy music with classical instruments, you might try bond. multinational pop quartet; two violins, a viola, and a cello.
posted by Ziggy Zaga at 11:20 PM on June 11, 2005

I'll second Jorane

Also, Brahm's solo cello sonatas are less well known than Bach's solo cello suites, and perhaps sound more modern, which you might like.

Kodaly's solo cello sonata is awesome.
posted by Rumple at 11:49 PM on June 11, 2005

Vito Paternoster: Bach on the Cello.
posted by a thousand writers drunk at the keyboard at 2:59 AM on June 12, 2005

I'm a big fan of Truls Mørk. You might find something here.
posted by sohcahtoa at 5:17 AM on June 12, 2005

Brahms Piano Quartet in C Minor, Opus 60 changed my life. I heard it while driving on a country road at night, and ended up pulling over to make sure I didn't drive out of range before it finished. The piece is very romantic (Brahms is said to have composed it as a way to declare his love for Chopin's wife), and is a good illustration of the fact that the cello's range is approximately the same as that of the human voice.

For a more eclectic combination, try Thomas Demenga playing J.S. Bach and Eliot Carter.
posted by alms at 7:51 AM on June 12, 2005 [1 favorite]

Check out the Turtle Island String Quartet

Some of their older stuff is really great with some great cello stuff.

In terms of classical cellists I would also check out anything by < a href="http://www.jose-sanchez-penzo.net/jdupre.html">Jacqueline DuPré. An Amazing cellist (try debussy cello concerto).

You can always pick up stuff like Tales from the Acoustic Planet with Bela Fleck and Friends that usually has some cello work on it. All good stuff.

I really like this
album by Yo Yo Ma that is all tango music on the cello. Great stuff.


Hope this helps!
posted by cdcello at 9:53 AM on June 12, 2005

Do you know about the Viol?

Like a cello, but better. OK, not better, but similar and amazingly beautiful.

Check out soundtrack to "Tous Les Matins Du Monde"

or Jordi Savall or St Colombe
posted by scottr at 11:15 AM on June 12, 2005

Pablo Casals is the greatest cello player imo.
posted by vronsky at 12:20 PM on June 12, 2005