Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C Major
The Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, by Joseph Haydn was composed around 1761-65 for longtime friend Joseph Franz Weigl, then the principal cellist of Prince Nicolaus's Esterházy Orchestra.
Haydn recommended Weigl to the post of principal cellist with the Esterházy orchestra not long after his own appointment in 1761. Presumably he played the cello solos in the times of day Symphonies - Le Matin, Le Midi and Le Soir. The cello concerto we know and love today was lost for years and was only known due to Haydn’s listing in his own catalogue (the Entwuf Cataloge). A copy of the score was discovered in the Radenín collection at the Prague National Museum in 1961. It has become one of his most famous works.
After the orchestral exposition of the first movement, the solo instrument plays the opening theme with chords using all four strings. Virtuosity is developed further by the use of rapidly repeating notes, the very high range, and quick contrasts of register. This movement is dominated by a single theme, although the theme itself includes several motives that Haydn develops separately. Near the end, a cadenza is played.
Things to listen for:
Haydn begins the first movement by introducing the theme straight away in the violins. Note at [0:20] he explores a conversational ‘moment of doubt’ with an interlude with some questioning fragments in the violins that are answered by the winds before moving on to a more positive affirmation at [0:27]. One particularly beautiful moment is at [0:41] where the violins momentarily play on their own (without basso) - accompanied only by the second violins.
The cello solos commences at [1:20]. Note how Haydn starts the cello part with the same brushed chord that he uses in the opening of the movement with the violins.
Listen to the change that comes at [3:19]. After the preceding full orchestral section, Haydn completely changes the texture and we hear an echo of the earlier ‘lighter’ violin duet. Haydn then layers this with the introduction of the bass parts at [3:27] before we hear some ‘snapped’ ornaments at [3:32].
LISTEN HERE:
Recording: The Australian Haydn Ensemble, Soloist Daniel Yeadon, Leader Skye McIntosh