It’s no secret that cellos have one of the best repertoire in orchestras.

The subtlety of this musical instrument and its striking resemblance to the human voice renders it incredibly useful to various forms of music. As such, it was only natural that cello concertos would be invented at some point.

If you’re new to string instruments, a concerto is simply a musical composition whereby soloists and the orchestra take turns. This collaboration leads to a cohesive musical piece. Highlighted in the post below are 7 of the best cello concertos.

The 7 Greatest Cello Concertos

1. Boccherini - Cello Concerto in B Flat

If you’re familiar with cello classical compositions, then Luigi Boccherini is no stranger to you.

This composer is mainly remembered for his exceptional work of Cello Concerto in B Flat. A thorough research of this piece reveals that it’s among the finest concertos to ever be written for this instrument.

One aspect that sets this concerto apart is the fact that the composer uses the double stop method. This technique involves a cellist playing two notes at the same time. In this case, the composer also plays the upper registers of the instrument.

But instead of creating massive jumps- which can be a tad difficult to achieve - the composer swiftly shifts to the upper registers. Given the dedication that went into creating this piece, there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy this concerto.

2. Lalo - Cello Concerto in D Minor

A French composer, Eduardo Lalo is remembered for creating several masterpieces during his time. One of his most prominent creations is the five-movement violin concerto known as Symphonie espagnole.

Lalo played multiple stringed instruments, including the cello. Thus, it’s not surprising that he created several cello concertos as well. One of his most celebrated cello works is the Cello Concerto in D Minor.

Created back in 1877, this piece tries to depict life as it was in early Beethoven era. The opening of this concerto is unapologetically bold. It’s followed by nicely-contrasting parts of elegiac lyricism, accentuated by the orchestra. This is the sort of concerto that evokes all kinds of feelings as you listen to it.

3. Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major

Even if you’ve never picked up a cello in your life, you’ve probably heard this thoughtfully-written masterpiece by Johann Sebastian Bach. This is because it’s been featured in dozens of movies and TV shows, and understandably so.

This composition is equally emotional as it is calming. Listening to it evokes images of a beautiful English garden or a tranquil environment.

And even though Bach composed at least six cello suites, the Cello Suite No. 1 remains to be the most popular one.

4. Brahms - Cello Sonata No.1

This cello concerto was created by a legendary musician who wore many hats. Johannes Brahms, a German native, is mostly celebrated for his piano skills. But, he was an excellent composer and music conductor as well.

One of his best creations is the Cello Sonata No.1, a concerto whose opening is just as dramatic as its ending. This composition showcases incredible artistry and tends to evoke a sense of disquietness.

5. Antonín – Cello Concerto in B Minor

One thing that makes Antonín Dvořák’s concerto so popular is its interesting background. Dvořák waited until his very last academic year to compose this piece, and it’s only because he was encouraged to do so by his long-time ally, Hanuš Wihan.

Before then, he had never created any compositions for this genre. According to Dvořák, the upper and lower registers of the cello just weren’t appealing.

After listening to the piece, Wihan recommended making a few adjustments. But Dvořák stuck to his guns and asked his publishers to produce it as it was. A few years after its creation, the Cello Concerto in B Minor turned out to be one of the biggest hits. It was so famous that it ended up being played in Queen’s Hall in London back in 1896.

6. Elgar - Cello Concerto in E Minor

If you’re looking to take your cello playing skills to the next level, listening to this immensely complex piece can help.

It was composed by one of the most famous English composers, Sir Edward William Edgar. This individual created many pieces, the majority of which have been featured in British and International classical concerts.

One of his best-known pieces is the Cello Concerto in E Minor that he composed in 1919. Interestingly, this cello piece was released in the same year in London, although its premier didn’t go as expected.

The reception of this concerto was so poor that another whole year passed before it was performed again. The cello piece begins with a line between a clarinet and cello. Furthermore, it comprises four movements rather than the usual three found in most cello concertos.

7. Schumann - Cello Concerto in A Minor

The Cello Concerto in A Minor was composed by the prominent Robert Schumann, who served as a musical director in Dusseldorf.

Important to note is that this concerto has served as the basis for some of the greatest cello recitals ever performed. Unlike Elgar’s composition, this one comes in the usual three movements.

We’ve linked a video showcasing a modern adaptation of this orchestral piece that takes about 25 minutes.

A bit of history to this composition is that it was composed in only two weeks. Sadly, it was never performed when Schumann was alive. It only became a hit when Ludwig Ebert played it solo in 1860.

Conclusion

Are you a beginner cellist who’s trying to decide whether you should really play this instrument? Or are you a professional cellist looking for some inspiration?

Whichever category you fall under, listening to cello concertos can shed more light on what decision to make. These classical compositions are equally entertaining as they are inspiring.

Not sure of which specific composition to listen to? Well, examples of the best cello concertos include the Cello Concerto in B Flat by Boccherini, Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, Brahms’ Cello Sonata No.1 and Antonín’s Cello Concerto in B Minor.