10 Famous Cello Pieces

Hello, I’m Kuro!

Recently, many people may have become familiar with the cello through its frequent appearances in dramas.

The cello is an instrument with both a striking visual presence and a rich, resonant sound.
In solo performances, you can hear its warm, elegant tones, and it is one of the most popular instruments for adult learners. In this article, I will introduce 10 famous pieces that showcase the charm of the cello.

TOC

**C. Saint-Saëns – Carnival of the Animals – “The Swan”**

The Carnival of the Animals is a suite of 14 movements, each depicting a different animal. Among them, “The Swan” is one of the most famous cello pieces.

J.S. Bach – Six Cello Suites (Unaccompanied)

This is a set of six unaccompanied cello suites. Originally used as simple study pieces, they were rediscovered by Pablo Casals and became some of the most well-known works in the cello repertoire.

A. Dvořák – Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104

One of the most famous cello concertos, it is often referred to as one of the “big three” cello concertos. Its nostalgic and expressive melodies continue to captivate listeners.

L.v. Beethoven – Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69

Beethoven composed five cello sonatas, and the third is the most widely recognized. It is one of the major works in the cello sonata repertoire.

Catalan Folk Song – Song of the Birds (El cant dels ocells)

Arranged and performed by cellist Pablo Casals, this piece became world-renowned and is now part of the standard cello repertoire. It is a famous piece that every cellist knows.

D. Popper – Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68

Incorporating Hungarian folk tunes, this colorful and dynamic piece is one of the most technically challenging works for cello. D. Popper, also a cellist, was known for writing highly difficult cello études, and this piece requires exceptional technique.

J. Haydn – Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major

Another piece in the “big three” cello concertos. While the first concerto is famous, this one, written for the cello virtuoso Anton Kraft, is also a renowned work in the cello repertoire.

R. Schumann – Cello Concerto in A minor

Part of the “big three” cello concertos, this piece is challenging due to its high-register passages and the advanced technique required to perform it.

G. Fauré – Élégie in C minor, Op. 24

Originally composed for cello and orchestra, this piece is also well-known in its version for cello and piano. It is a deeply emotional and beautiful work for the cello.

J. Brahms – Cello Sonata No. 1 in E minor, Op. 38

This piece is very familiar to cellists, offering deep, resonant low notes. While the second sonata is also frequently performed, the first sonata is the more well-known of the two.

・Bonus

In addition to the famous pieces, there are many beautiful pieces that sound wonderful on the cello. Here are a few of them!

R. Schumann – Träumerei

This piece is the seventh movement of the piano suite Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood). It has become a popular piece to perform on the cello in recent years.

C. Rachmaninoff – Vocalise

A song without lyrics, sung using vowel sounds, this piece was originally written for voice with piano accompaniment.

G. Fauré – Après un rêve (After a Dream)

This piece is the first movement of his song cycle 3 Mélodies.

C. Gounod – Ave Maria

Gounod composed this vocal work by adding Latin lyrics from the “Ave Maria” to the prelude in C major from J.S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I, creating one of the most famous versions of the piece.