DIVERSIONS FOR CELLO AND ORCHESTRA op.337 (September 1984) Listen to this Work

A concerto for cello in the form of a suite in 8 movements

Instrumentation: 2(=picc).2.2.2 - 2220 - timp - perc(1): susp.cym/xyl/SD/tgl/cyms - pno(=cel) - strings
[Key to Abbreviations]
Duration: 23 mins
First Performance: Steven Isserlis (solo cello) Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Groves at the Fairfield Hall, 29 March 1989.

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Recordings Available

Recording by Robert Cohen (solo cello), conducted by Howard Blake, with The Philharmonia Orchestra, 1990. Sony CD HB3 23

Movements

Prelude
Scherzo
March
Waltz
Aria
Serenade
Sarabande & Cadenza
Finale

Notes

Howard originally wrote 'Diversions' as a work for cello and piano in 1973, but in 1984 his agent Georgina Ivor introduced him to Maurice Gendron who persuaded him to completely revise it into a concerto for cello and orchestra. Howard worked with him, first in his home in Grez-sur-Loing and later at the Ravel Festival in St. Jean de Luz, Gendron persuading him to compose a completely new cadenza and finale. He completed the full orchestration on Feb. 12 1985.

Performances

21st May 2000	Robert Cohen (cello), The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra cond. by Barry Wordsworth, Hove Town Hall A concert to celebrate the Millenium
23rd August 1991	Steven Isserlis, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra cond. by Vernon Handley, The Three Choirs Festival, Hereford Cathedral
2nd June 1989	Steven Isserlis, The Philharmonia cond. by Howard Blake, The Royal Festival Hall
29th March 1989	Royal Philharmonic Orchestra / Steven Isserlis / Charles Groves, Fairfield Halls, Croydon

Reviews

The dearth of repertoire for the solo cello should encourage more composers to write for the instrument ... Diversions is a welcome newcomer which could become an old friend. The right movements all have an individual character, made more convincing by economic scoring in which each theme or effect is clearly defined. It is a bright, colourful, tuneful piece with tremendous rhythmic drive...

The Strad,

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