Sheet music in detail
About the composer
Julius KlengelJulius Klengel (1859-1933), German cellist and cello teacher, created a wonderfully sonorous and varied work with his Hymn (he himself called the piece “Twelve Dance”), despite its simple form, which should be a staple at every cellist's wedding.
The parts in this edition are printed in easily legible large print.
About the composition
Julius Klengel: Hymn for 12 Cellos (Large Print)
In the winter of 1991/92, the publisher spoke with a prominent contemporary witness: Rudolf Metzmacher, who studied with Julius Klengel from 1924 to 1927 and performed the hymn with him on several occasions. Julius Klengel led the first quartet, his daughter Eva Klengel led the second quartet, which included four women, and Rudolf Metzmacher led the third quartet with Klengel's students. Julius Klengel himself privately referred to the hymn as the "Dance of the Twelve."
Anecdote about Eva Klengel: Alwin Bauer, who was principal cellist of the Leipzig Radio Orchestra shortly after the end of World War II, was asked to hire two additional cellists for a recording of the hymn. Since he had learned that Eva Klengel still lived in Leipzig, he asked her and she agreed. Eva Klengel played the cello sitting sidesaddle.