The Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 40, was composed by

Gerald Finzi Gerald Raphael Finzi (14 July 1901 – 27 September 1956) was a British composer. Finzi is best known as a choral composer, but also wrote in other genres. Large-scale compositions by Finzi include the cantata '' Dies natalis'' for solo voice an ...

in 1955. The piece is in three movements: *I.

Allegro Allegro may refer to: Common meanings * Allegro (music), a tempo marking indicate to play fast, quickly and bright * Allegro (ballet), brisk and lively movement Artistic works * L'Allegro (1645), a poem by John Milton * ''Allegro'' (Satie), an ...

moderato *II.

Andante Andante may refer to: Arts * Andante (tempo), a moderately slow musical tempo * ''Andante'' (manga), a shōjo manga by Miho Obana * "Andante" (song), a song by Hitomi Yaida * "Andante, Andante", a 1980 song by ABBA from ''Super Trouper'' * ' ...

quieto *III.

Rondo The rondo is an instrumental musical form introduced in the Classical period. Etymology The English word ''rondo'' comes from the Italian form of the French ''rondeau'', which means "a little round". Despite the common etymological root, rondo ...

Adagio Adagio (Italian for 'slowly', ) may refer to: Music * Adagio, a tempo marking, indicating that music is to be played slowly, or a composition intended to be played in this manner * Adagio (band), a French progressive metal band Albums * ''Ada ...

- Allegro giocoso The concerto was written as the result of a request by

John Barbirolli Sir John Barbirolli ( Giovanni Battista Barbirolli; 2 December 189929 July 1970) was a British conductor and cellist. He is remembered above all as conductor of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, which he helped save from dissolution in 19 ...

, and first performed by Barbirolli and the Hallé Orchestra, with

Christopher Bunting Christopher Evelyn Bunting (8 August 1924 – 28 July 2005) was an English cellist. He had an international reputation, and was a highly regarded teacher; he gave first performances of notable cello concertos. Life Bunting was born in London in ...

as the soloist at the

Cheltenham Music Festival The Cheltenham Music Festival is a British music festival, held annually in Cheltenham in the summer months (June, July) since 1945. The festival is renowned for premieres of contemporary music, hosting over 250 music premieres as of July 2004. ...

on 19 July 1955. The first radio broadcast of the concerto was given on the night before Finzi died in 1956. Part of the second movement was used as the signature tune for the BBC Radio 2003 of adaptation of

C. P. Snow Charles Percy Snow, Baron Snow, (15 October 1905 – 1 July 1980) was an English novelist and physical chemist who also served in several important positions in the British Civil Service and briefly in the UK government.''The Columbia Encyclop ...

's ''

Strangers and Brothers ''Strangers and Brothers'' is a series of novels by C. P. Snow, published between 1940 and 1970. They deal with – among other things – questions of political and personal integrity, and the mechanics of exercising power. Plot All eleven ...

''.

External links

Cello ConcertoBoosey & HawkesReview by Robert Stumpf II on Classical.netGerald Finzi: His Life and Music
Finzi, Gerald Compositions by Gerald Finzi 1955 compositions Compositions in A minor {{concerto-stub