Program Notes for the CD
" Cello Favourites "
I mention here the version I play, although I alter bowings and fingerings.
This is an overview of the more important changes.1 - Beethoven, Sonatina. (Peters/Stutschewsky) I play virtually all bowings and fingerings recommended. Like in all Beethoven, the articulation is extremely important. A clear distinction between staccato and slurs brings life to the phrasing.
2 - Breval, Sonata C major, Allegro. (Schott/Stutschewsky). Editions by e.g. Schroeder or Suzuki simplify passages, which are not the difficult ones and miss out important musical content. I use the recommended bowings except the slurs in the triplets, which seem rather arbitrary to me.
3 - Handel, Aria (Schott/Rapp from "Alte Meisterweisen"). The melody should sing like a voice. The printed dynamics don't make always sense to me; the middle section line 5 needs to be stronger, not piano. Line 7 should instead be p. The parallel melodies bar 7 and 13 could have the same fingering. (I start bar 15 with down bow again).
4 - Dalla Bella, Giga (Nagels-Baerenreiter/Upmeyer). One of my favourites as a child, also a fantastic study for positions. I slur all triplets (except the 3 before the end note). I also play V V for all crotchets (1/4) plus quavers (1/8) (they always occur in V). This bowing supports the rhythmical weighting and musical phrasing.
[click here for free sheetmusic]
5 & 6 - Eccles, Sonata g minor, Largo and Allegro (Schott/Cahrnbley). I don't know any other edition. Edited 1918, Carnbley lived before the time anyone cared about originals and not much was known about Baroque style and performance. All bowings are here in order to impress in a Romantic manner. I changed virtually all bowings to my own intuition and general knowledge about Baroque music.
In the Allegro I play in the theme bow direction units of quavers (1/8).
I recommend for a Baroque sound to hold the bow a few cm more inwards than usually, even allowing to touch the hair, and play the bow very light; also to create a forte by rather playing a faster bow than pushing.
[click here for free sheetmusic]
7 & 8 - Bach, Prelude and Courante from Suite No 1, G major (from Werner Icking Music Archive - WIMA). For original bowings the new Baerenreiter edition is the only representative one. I worked out my own edition after comparing all the early manuscripts with the logic of Bach's bowings in his own works for violin solo of which the original survived. To my surprise I found my bowings to be identical with the Werner Icking ones, who also compared the cello with the violin works. -
9 - Bach-Gounod, Ave Maria (Williams/Squire). I start with V. Like a controlled voice we need to control the beginnings and ends of the bow: that the start is gradual, the end not rushed - especially not towards the nut; a bow can finish just where it ends, anywhere, when the time is right, without acceleration. For bowings and fingereings see:
[click here for free sheetmusic]
10 - Bach, Arioso (Fischer/Isaac). It is important to watch, that the first and last note in a slur of quavers (1/8) is played fully out, not rushed in timing or bow speed.
11 & 12 - Vivaldi, Sonata e minor, Largo & Allegro (Baerenreiter/Hoffmann). It is refreshing to play Vivaldi with original bowings and no fingerings written in (there is a simple logic in his fingerings, which occurs by just playing a few times through; it is amazing how artificially complicated and the music contradicting our editions are. I thought always something is wrong with the works until I found this version (edited 2003).
13 - Pergolesi, Nina (Schirmer/Deri). Four bars before the repeat it sounds better and is easier to shift from the high G on D with 3 back to A, ready for 2 on Eb. The pause in the Coda needs to be taken seriously; I like to put a comma between Eb and D, as you do it in a recitativo.
14 - Popper, Happy (Fond) Recollections - In Memory of my Parents (Several editions).
The music is a peaceful dialog between the deep voice of the father and the soft high voice of the mother, sometimes dramatic, sometimes telling just little stories.
15 - Faure, Sicilienne (IMC)
Originally written for cello and dedicated to Squire. I always wondered about the frequent repetition of G-D, and I imagine a conversation like this preceding the composition: the young talented Squire demonstrated how well he could stretch without difficulty from G to D and even with vibrato!; Faure answering: I write you a piece with x stretches from G to D (9x), Squire answering: please don't! But Faure promised to give the stretch a fancy dressing, sounding really not so bad! - - For me there is always a question and answer game in the theme, the 5th bar ending in a strong D major, where as the following answer in bar 9 should end in p (I start the upbeat D in bar 5 with down bow).
16 - Cui, Oriental (AMEB/Allans) The series of VVV is not meant as a staccato towards the nut, but as a bumping bow at the tip imitating a drum (always, even if there are only 2 notes). In bar 36, most players might find it easier to start in 4th position with 3 (then the recommended 1).
17 - Tschaikovsky, Chanson Triste. There are many editions and many bowing varieties, impossible to relate to. Here are some details: I play all high Bb with down bow (in the outer sections in a slur). I prepare the high Bb every time with a 1 on G. - The middle section should be noticeably more moving ahead and have a freer feel.
18 - Marie, La Cinquantaine (Costallat).This piece, originally written for cello, is dedicated to Monsieur E.Binon. In my old edition the repeats are not written out, and I prefer not to play them. I didn't like the piece for a long time, until I changed the bow direction found in all editions. Many phrases go towards the F in 4th position, which are V; the note tends to sound choked, the harmonic reminds of anything else except lightness. All these F's need to be down bow, the bowings leading to it need changed. Suddenly this piece turns to not boring any more (I start even with a down bow).
[click here for free sheetmusic]
19 - Tschaikovsky, Valse sentimental (IMC/Rose) In bar 1 I go already for the A# with 2 in the 4th position; be careful not to tilt the bow inwards for the change to A string or the sound will not be clear. I start bars 30 & 62 with V and start a new bow on the high B to enable a full sound in f; to prepare I play the D# in bars 28 & 60 with V. - For me the outer sections are a slow valse, in a sentimental mood, where as the Piu mosso sections I feel should be noticeably faster.
20 - Romberg, Sonata e-minor, Allegro non troppo (IMC/Jansen) I play most fingerings and bowings. In this movement it is essential to add dynamic markings and not play everything mf. P2 - I start every 2 bar phrase and line 2 with V. In line 5 & 6 it is important to remain for the quaver (1/8) passages before the semibreve (1/1) in the upper half of the bow.G.M.
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OUR CD's
Georg Mertens
CELLO SOLOS - LIVE recordings from the Concerts in the Caves (2009)Including World First Recordings for cello solo of:
'Asturias', 'Verano Porteno', 'Spanish Romance', 'Maytime Variations', 'Erh-Hu' & 'Arabian' Improvisations for Cello Solo
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TRACKS (for program notes see right)
1 – Cathedral Ciaconna (Georg Mertens)
2 - Variations on Neidhardt's “Maienzeit” (Georg Mertens) *
3 - Hungarian Rhapsody op 68 (David Popper)
4 - The Swan - from The Carnival of the Animals (Camille Saint-Saens) *
5 - Arabian Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
6 - Nana from Suite Populaire Espagnole No 2 (Manuel de Falla) *
7 - Asturias (Leyenda) from Suite Espanola No 5 (Isaac Albeniz arr. for cello solo by G M) *
8 - Verano Porteno (Astor Piazzolla arr. for cello solo by G M) *
9 - Sarabande from Suite V for cello solo, BWV 10011
10 - Erh-Hu Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
11 - Prelude No 3 from 5 Preludes for Guitar (Heitor Villa-Lobos arr. for cello solo by G M) *
12 - Tango Celloguitar for cello solo (Georg Mertens) *
13 - Meditation from the opera Thais, Andante religioso (Jules Massenet arr. for cello by G M) *
14 - Tarantella op 23 (William Squire arr. for cello solo by G M)
15 - Spanish Romance for cello solo (Georg Mertens) *
16 - Vocalise op 34 No 14 (Sergej Rachmaninov)
17 - Ich armes Maegdelein for cello solo (Collection Forster 1546 arr. for cello by G M) *
* The sheet music is available on the page:
All tracks are live recordings from the concerts in the Cathedral Chamber at Jenolan Caves / NSW Australia except track 13 - 16, which are recorded at the concert in the Cathedral Cave at Wellington Caves / NSW.
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(You find the program notes for this CD in the left column) To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h): Any 3 CD's AU $ 60 (including p&h) For ordering CD's internationally we recommend the reliable service by CD Baby (click left on CD icon) |
TRACKS (for program notes see left)1 Ludwig van Beethoven:
Sonatina in D minor (originally mandolin)
2 Jean Babtiste Breval: Sonata in C major: I. Allegro
3 Georg Friedrich Handel: Aria in F major
4 Domenico dalla Bella: Sonata in C major: II. Giga *
5 Henry Eccles: Sonata in G minor: Largo
6 - Allegro *
7 J.S.Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: Prelude
8 - Courante
9 Bach - Gounod: Meditation - Ave Maria
10 J.S.Bach: Arioso from Cantata BWV 156: I Adagio
11 Antonio Vivaldi: Sonata E minor RV 40: Largo *
12 - Allegro
13 Giovanni Baptista Pergolesi: Nina - from the opera "Tre Giorni"
14 David Popper: Happy (Fond) Recollections Op. 64,1
15 Gabriel Faure: Sicilienne Op 78
16 Cesare Cui: Oriental from Le Kaleidoscope Op. 50, 9
17 Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky: Chanson Triste in G minor
18 Gabriel Marie: La Cinquantaine
19 Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky: Valse Sentimental Op. 51, 6
20 Bernhard Romberg: Sonata E minor Op. 38: I. Allegro non troppoTop downloads:
1 Sonata in C major (Breval) track 2
2 Sonata in e minor (Romberg) track 20
3 Sonata in g minor, Largo (Eccles) track 5Our Favorites:
Georg: Beethoven Sonatina, track 1
Gavin: Bach Arioso, track 1
The Paganini Duo
AN HOUR IN HEAVEN
Traditional Gypsy Music & Free Improvisations.
Live recordings of their amazing Underground Concerts at Jenolan Caves / Australia
To listen click on:
"An Hour in Heaven" on itunesTo purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h):
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TRACKS (+ Recorded at the following Concert)
1 Bessarabian Girl (26/6/2004)
2 Your blue Eyes are stunning (28/4/2007)
3 Underground Improvisation / Bilbao (24/2/2007)
4 The old Gypsy (27/5/2006)
5 The Basso (3/5/2007 *)
6 Invitation to Dance (24/2/2007
7 If you love me, never leave me (3/5/2007 *)
8 Ungaresca (27/5/2007)
9 Two Guitars (28/5/2005)
10 Underground Improvisation / Moldavian Nights (24/6/2006)
11 Son of Puszta (25/1/2005)
12 Abandoned (25/11/2006)
13 Waves of the Danube - "Anniversary Valse" (26/2/2005)
14 Underground Improvisation /Tundra (27/11/2004)
15/16 Paganini - Centone di Sonata I (24/3/2007)
17 Czardas (23/9/2006) (for score see "sheetmusic")
18 Rasposchol (24/2/2007)* private concert in the Cave, Thursday morning (3/5/2007)
Top downloads:
1 Czardas (Monti) track 17
2 Waves of the Danube - "Anniversary Valse" (Ivanovici) track 13
3 Son of Puszta (Kela Bela) track 11Our Favorites:
Gustaw: Abandoned, track 12
Georg: Underground Improvisation / Bilbao, track 3
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TRACKS
1 Deep Sorrow (trad. Gypsy)
(for free score see "sheetmusic")
2 100 Kisses (trad.Hungarian)
(for free score see "sheetmusic")
3 Andante from Zigeunerweisen (Sarasate)
(for free score see "sheetmusic")
4 Black Eyes (trad. Gypsy)
5 Golden Earrings (Victor Young)
6 Lavota (trad.Hungarian)
7 River Maros (Georg Mertens)
8 Hungarian Fantasy (Russ Bovelino)
(for score see "sheetmusic")
9 Sinai Hora (trad.Romanian)
10 Czardas (Monti)
(for score see "sheetmusic")
11 My violin is broken (trad.Hungarian)
12 Ungaresca (Mainerio)
13 Rasposchol (trad.Russian)
14 Two Guitars (trad.Russian)Top downloads:
1 Czardas (Monti) track 10
2 Black Eyes (trad. Gypsy) track 4
3 Andante from Zigeunerweisen (Sarasate) track 3Our Favorites:
Gustaw: 100 Kisses, track 2
Georg: Hungarian Fantasy, track 8
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To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h): Any 3 CD's AU $ 60 (including p&h) For ordering CD's internationally we recommend the reliable service by CD Baby (click left on CD icon) |
TRACKS
1 Told at Twilight (Huerter)
2 At the Cafe Continental (Grosz/Kennedy)
3 Blue Danube (Strauss)
4 Two Guitars (Russian Traditional)
5 Canon in D (Pachelbel)
6 The Song of Songs (Moya)
7: Free (Kennedy/Carr)
8 Simple Aveu (Thome)
9 Serenata (Toselli)
10 La Golandrina (Italian Traditional)
11 A Perfect Day (Jacobs-Bond)
12 Jealousy (Gade)
13 Tune from County Derry (Trad./Grainger)
14 Gavotte (Bohm)
15 La Paloma (Italian Traditional)
16 March/Foxtrot (Kalman)Top downloads:
1 Canon in D (Pachelbel) track 5
2 La Paloma (Italian Traditional) track 15
3 Two Guitars (Russian Traditional) track 4Our Favorites:
Gustaw: The Song of Songs, track 6
Georg: Told at Twilight, track 1
Gavin: Simple Aveu, track 8On the web page 'sheetmusic' you can download a not so boring cello part for the 'Pachelbel Canon' for free (as on CD)
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To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h): Any 3 CD's AU $ 60 (including p&h) For ordering CD's internationally we recommend the reliable service by CD Baby (click left on CD icon)
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TRACKS
1 H.Villa-Lobos Prelude I
2 Prelude IV
3 I. Albeniz Asturias
4 F.Tarrega Capricho d'Arabe
5 V.Sojo Cantico
6 A.Barrios Valse No 3
7 L.Milan Pavana
8 Anonymus Passamezzo
9 L.Fuhrmann Bourree
10 J.Dowland Queen of Elizabeth Galliard
11 S.L.Weiss Fantasie
12 Prelude D min
13 Tombeau
14 J.S.Bach Allemande
15 Bourree
16 F.Sor Study B minor
17 Anonymus Spanish Romance
Top downloads:
1 Anonymus Spanish Romance, track 17
2 I.Albeniz Asturias, track 3
3 J.S.Bach Allemande, track 14Georg's Favorite: Villa-Lobos Prelude IV, track 2
 |
To purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h): Any 3 CD's AU $ 60 (including p&h) For ordering CD's internationally we recommend the reliable service by CD Baby (click left on CD icon)
|
TRACKS
1 Anonymus Greensleeves to a Ground
2 G.F.Handel Sonata No 2 in A minor - Larghetto
3 Allegro
4 Adagio
5 Allegro
6 G.Mertens Multiculturla Suite - French Ounverture
7 Scherzo
8 Barbarian Intermezzo - Trio
9 Arabia Nocturna
10 Didgeridoo
(for score see "sheetmusic")
11 B.Thorn Salad Undressing II
12 III
13 W.Rein Dunkle Wolk (Dark cloud)
14 T.Morley Almain
15 Anonymus The Sick Tune
16 W.Byrd La Volta
17 Wolsey's Wilde
18 J.Dowland Lachrimae Pavan
19 The Earl of Essex his Galliard
20 Anonymus Ghaetta
21 Saltarello I
22 Susato Tourdion
23 G.Mertens Didgeridoo 2Top downloads:
1 G.Mertens: Multicultural Suite - Didgeridoo, track 10
2 G.Mertens - Didgeridoo 2, track 23
3 Susato Tourdion, track 22Our Favorites:
Jodie: Arabia Nocturna, track 9
Georg: Handel Larghetto, track 2
Georg Mertens (-Moussa)
Music at Jenolan Caves
The first recording of the Cello concerts at Jenolan Caves (2000).
To listen click on:
"Music at Jenolan Caves" on itunesTo purchase CD within Australia click on Paypal icon below (AU $20 plus 5 p&h):
Any 3 CD's AU $ 60 (including p&h)
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TRACKS
1 J.S.Bach Suite I - Prelude G major
2 - Menuet 1 & 2
3 G.Mertens-Moussa - Jenolan Ciaconna
4 J.S.Bach Suite II - Prelude d minor
5 - Sarabande
6 - Menuet 1 & 2
7 G.Mertens - Moussa - Fantasy on Cathedral Cave
8 J.S.Bach Suite III - Prelude
9 - Bourree 1 & 2
10 S.Rachmaninov - Vocalise
11 J.S.Bach Suite IV - Prelude
12 Suite V - Allemande
13 M.de Falla - Nana
14 J.S.Bach Suite VI - Prelude
15 M.Forster - Poor Maiden MeTop downloads:
1 J.S.Bach Suite I - Prelude
2 S.Rachmaninov - Vocalise
3 J.S.Bach Suite VI - PreludeGeorg's Favorite:
J.S.Bach Bourree 1 & 2
CD's are also available from the following retailers:
Jenolan Caves
Ticket Office
Event Horizon Gallery
(186 Bathurst Rd, Katoomba, 2 next to Todarellos's)
Mr Pickwick's (Katoomba St, Katoomba)
Blue Mountains Heritage Centre
(Govett's Leap Rd, Blackheath)
Lithgow Rock Sounds & HiFi
Lithgow Tourist Information Centre
Mitchell Conservatorium, Bathurst
Bathurst Tourist Information Centre
| To inquire about private concerts click here: georgcello@hotmail.com |
Georg Mertens at Jenolan Caves
(photo courtesy of Rob Whyte)
CONTACT
(joining our email list / inquiries / tuition)
click here on:
georgcello@hotmail.com
Concert Bookings:
ph. 1300 76 3311 or 02 6359 3911 then dial 2
(the music on 'call waiting' is from the CD "re-issued" )NOW ALSO:
24 HOUR on-line BOOKING:
ph. 136 100
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cello concerts
For other Caves Tours visit the website: www.jenolancaves.org.au
On site accomodation:
Jenolan Caves House
ph 02 6359 3911 then dial 1
www.jenolancaveshouse.com.au
The Paganini Duo (Photo courtesy of Michael Small from Kumbaya Studios, Leura - Collage assembly by Jenny Reid from Berkojoey, Sydney)
Program Notes for the CD
" Cello Solos "1 – Cathedral Ciaconna (Georg Mertens)
Written in 1999 for the acoustics of the Cathedral Chamber. Opening with a series of chords, each narrow then widening enhancing the impression of the large space. The variations explore the variety of sounds in the Chamber.
[click here for sheetmusic]2 - Variations on Neidhardt's “Maienzeit” (Georg Mertens)
Neidhardt's (1180-1240) song has only been written down in different versions from 1600 onwards. The variations are based on the 6 note scale used by Neidhardt to preserve the medieval gothic character.
[click here for sheetmusic]
3 - Hungarian Rhapsody op 68 (David Popper)
Beautiful soloistic masterpiece, displaying richness of sound and brilliance in technique. This solo version incorporates passages and fill notes of the piano part.
4 - The Swan - from The Carnival of the Animals (Camille Saint-Saens) for fingerings and bowings see:
[click here for free sheetmusic]
5 - Arabian Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
Not only the violin group including the cello and the lute/guitar have their origins in the Arabian culture.
Everytime different this particular improvisation is my favourite.
6 - Nana from Suite Populaire Espagnole No 2 (Manuel de Falla) A very Spanish/Moorish Lullaby.
[click here for free sheetmusic]
7 - Asturias (Leyenda) from Suite Espanola No 5 (Isaac Albeniz arr. for cello solo by G M)
Originally written for piano, this piece became the probably most famous piece "written" for Classical guitar. This complete version for cello solo is a World first transcription and recprding.
[click here for sheetmusic]
8 - Verano Porteno (Astor Piazzolla arr. for cello solo by G M)
Meaning "Spring" this is a typical Piazzolla Tango with all the stark clashes and sweetest bits in between.
A World first transcription and recording.
[click here for sheetmusic]
9 - Sarabande from Suite V for cello solo, BWV 10011
One of my all time favourite movements.
10 - Erh-Hu Improvisation for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
A World First. Copied from the Chinese Erh-Hu two strings are fed between the hair and the stick of the bow (D & G string); now A and C string can be played together. In the left hand only one single finger is used gliding up and down instead of playing with all 4.
A sound experience like nothing before on cello.
11 - Prelude No 3 from 5 Preludes for Guitar (Heitor Villa-Lobos arr. for cello solo by G M)
Villa-Lobos played both: cello and guitar. Many of his pieces show a love of the typivcal cello sound, but used on other instruments.
World First transcription and recording.
[click here for sheetmusic]
12 - Tango Celloguitar for cello solo (Georg Mertens)
Often asked by comrades to give it a go, this composition uses a pizzicato tremolo - as used on guitar, opening another window of possible cello sounds. World First recording.
[click here for sheetmusic]
13 - Meditation from the opera 'Thais', Andante religioso (Jules Massenet arr. for cello by G M)
Famous highly Romantic melody. This solo version incorporates passages and harmony notes taken from the orchestral part. World first cello solo transcription and recording for cello solo.
[click here for free sheetmusic]
14 - Tarantella op 23 (William Squire arr. for cello solo by G M)
The story of the Tarantella goes: Once you have been bitten by the Tarantula spider, you have to dance the Tarantella. Otherwise you'll die. Traditional ecstatic dance with extreme mood swings.
15 - Spanish Romance arr. for cello solo by Georg Mertens.
Famous anonymus theme for guitar, adapted for cello with an introduction.
[click here for sheetmusic]
16 - Vocalise op 34 No 14 (Sergej Rachmaninov)
Song without words ideal for cello. My favourite first piece in concerts to test the acoustics.
17 - 'Ich armes Maegdelein' ('Poor Maiden me') for cello solo (Collection Forster 1546 arr. for cello by G M)
Charming early Renaissance Song probably written by a woman lamenting the loss of her lover who had been forced to go to war and did not return.
[click here for free sheetmusic]G.M.
