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Girolamo Frescobaldi
Toccata for Cello and Piano (arr. Cassado)
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1644) was a musician from the Duchy of Ferrara, in what is now northern Italy. He was one of the most important composers of keyboard music in the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. His work influenced Johann Froberger, Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, and countless other major composers. Pieces from his celebrated collection of liturgical organ music, Fiori musicali (1635), were used as models of strict counterpoint as late as the 19th century.
The Toccata, almost certainly a work originally for organ was arranged by Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966) a Spanish cellist and composer of the early 20th century. He was born in Barcelona to a church musician father, and began taking cello lessons at age seven. When he was nine, he played in a recital where Pablo Casals was in the audience; Casals immediately offered to teach him. The city of Barcelona awarded him a scholarship so that he could study with Casals in Paris.
The work begins with a powerful and dramatic Grave introduction. The main section is a bright, lively Allegro giusto. This fine arrangement makes an excellent recital or competition piece.
Parts: $16.95
today. As a concert organist, he made numerou
