Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1
Saint-Saens wrote two concertos for cello. The first is one of the pillars of the solo cello repertoire; the second is almost never heard. This is the complete Cello Concerto #1 in A minor, Op. 33. Most concertos that are in three movements, but this one is written as one continuous movement. All versions below have the complete original cello solo part, but each provides a different orchestration for the accompaniment.
This composition can be played by 1,643 different combinations of instruments (really!).
A few notes on the parts and instruments:
- The standard ("std") parts are the original parts and are designed to be played together.
- The alternate "a" parts, if present, are raised one octave (8va) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the higher instruments listed. They should work as long as they are above the other parts.
- The alternate "b" parts, if present, are lowered one octave (8vb) and can be substituted for a standard part to accommodate the lower instruments listed. They should work as long as they are below the other parts.
- For example, using parts 1, 2, and 3 together is definitely ok. Using parts 1a, 2, and 3b together is probably ok. Using parts 1b, 2, and 3a together might not work well.
- Part ranges are listed in concert key, where C4 is middle C.
When you purchase this composition, you will be taken to PayPal to submit your payment. As soon as you pay, you will be able to download all the PDF files immediately. You will have access to every part for each available instrument, in the proper key and clef. You will also get a complete score (in most cases, we include four separate scores with all parts transposed to C, Bb, Eb, and F).
You don't have to purchase each part separately; one single payment covers all the parts you need for the instruments in your ensemble.
We have 4 versions of this composition. Click on the version name to jump to the different versions. Note that each version is purchased separately.
Version v01
Buy Version v01 ($14.99)This version is for string orchestra, not quintet (the double-stops are not possible with single players).
Composition: Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1
Version: v01
Instrumentation: Sextet
Duration: 19 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $14.99
| Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1, Version v01 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | C2 - F#6 | Cello |
| Part 2 (std) | G3 - F#6 | Violin |
| Part 3 (std) | G3 - C6 | Violin, Viola |
| Part 4 (std) | C3 - F5 | Viola |
| Part 5 (std) | C2 - G4 | Cello |
| Part 6 (std) | E1 - E3 | Bass |
Version v02
Buy Version v02 ($14.99)This version is for cello solo accompanied by string quintet.
Composition: Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1
Version: v02
Instrumentation: Sextet
Duration: 19 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $14.99
| Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1, Version v02 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | C2 - F#6 | Cello |
| Part 2 (std) | G#3 - F#6 | Eb Clarinet, Violin |
| Part 3 (std) | G3 - E6 | Eb/C/Bb Clarinet, Violin |
| Part 4 (std) | C3 - F5 | Bass Flute, Bass Oboe, Basset Horn, Alto Clarinet, Viola |
| Part 5 (std) | C2 - G4 | Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Cello |
| Part 6 (std) | E1 - E3 | Contrabass Clarinet, Contrabassoon, Bass Trombone, Eb/Bb Sousaphone, Bass |
Version v03
Buy Version v03 ($14.99)This version is for solo cello accompanied by various quartets, including clarinet quartet. NOTE: if you specifically want a string quartet accompaniment, see version v04 below.
Composition: Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1
Version: v03
Instrumentation: Quintet
Duration: 19 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $14.99
| Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1, Version v03 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | C2 - F#6 | Cello |
| Part 2 (std) | G#3 - F#6 | Eb Clarinet, Violin |
| Part 2b (8vb) | G#2 - F#5 | Basset Horn, Alto Clarinet |
| Part 3 (std) | G3 - E6 | Eb/C/Bb Clarinet, Violin |
| Part 3b (8vb) | G2 - E5 | Basset Horn, Alto Clarinet |
| Part 4 (std) | C3 - F5 | Bass Flute, Bass Oboe, Basset Horn, Alto Clarinet, Viola |
| Part 4b (8vb) | C2 - F4 | Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Cello |
| Part 5 (std) | C2 - G4 | Contra-Alto/Contrabass Clarinet, Bassoon, French Horn, Cello |
| Part 5b (8vb) | C1 - G3 | Contrabass Clarinet, Contrabassoon |
Version v04
Buy Version v04 ($14.99)This version is identical to v03 but has been formatted specifically for string quartet accompaniment.
Composition: Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1
Version: v04
Instrumentation: Quintet
Duration: 19 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Price: $14.99
| Saint-Saens Cello Concerto #1, Version v04 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part | Range | Available Instruments |
| Score | Full Score in C, Bb, Eb, and F | |
| Part 1 (std) | C2 - F#6 | Cello |
| Part 2 (std) | G#3 - F#6 | Violin |
| Part 3 (std) | G3 - E6 | Violin |
| Part 4 (std) | C3 - F5 | Viola |
| Part 5 (std) | C2 - G4 | Cello |