Sheet music in detail
Vocalise and Andante (from cello concerto)
About the composer
Stephen ScotchmerStephen Scotchmer (*1955) studied music at the University of Bristol and conducting with Arthur Davison. During his many years as musical director of the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra, he conducted a large part of the standard repertoire for both orchestra and choir, including performances of all of Beethoven's and Brahms's symphonies, "A Child of Our Time," and Verdi's Requiem. He had the privilege of working with some of Britain's finest musicians, including Lesley Garrett, Kathryn Stott, Anthony Marwood, Martin Roscoe, James Lisney, Natalie Clein, and Martino Tirimo.
As a composer, Scotchmer has written an extensive body of work in many different genres. His style is predominantly tonal, and the compositional techniques he employs are traditional. His interest lies more in the manipulation of the various musical elements that determine perceived expression in music than in the exploration of sound as a science.
The works for cello were written for his daughter, the cellist Lucy Scotchmer.
About the composition
Stephen Scotchmer: “The original version of Vocalise (for soprano & small orchestra) was written in an afternoon. Its simple melody and subsequent musical canon just fell into place. This version for cello and piano retains the same sensuous melody and lush accompanying harmonies, enabling the cellist to emulate the human voice. The faster middle section includes some jazzy chords and the highest note in the piece for the cellist. The original melody returns and the music ends in a peaceful slumber.”
Vocalise is together with “Andante from the cello concerto” in one edition.
Stephen Scotchmer: “In the original version of my 1989 cello concerto the second movement (Andante) is linked to the third and final movement. I recently prepared standalone versions for cello and orchestra and cello with piano. The Andante begins with a long expansive melody played by the piano, which is immediately taken up by the cello. There is another more stately theme, this time presented by the cello, which leads to a couple of quotes from the first movement. The second theme returns (this time as a canon) before the opening melody reappears in an even more intimate guise. After a final flourish by the cello the music concludes as it began - calmly.”