Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1

A concerto is a conversation between a solo instrument and an orchestra. 

Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 is what it looks like when the cello is at the center of the conversation. 

"Movie night" at cello camp is where I first saw/heard it.

Mstislav Rostropovich was performing with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields orchestra. 

The cello camp version opened with the orchestra seated, in a classical setting. Slava, in a tuxedo, walked out to the soloist podium. He started the count with one hand, instrument in the other. Once the orchestra was in motion, he sat down, listened, and then ripped into the opening chords.

Performed this way, it’s hard to believe the piece was written in the 1760s.

Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music.  His contributions to musical form have led to people calling him things like "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet”, or sometimes just "Papa".

Thanks to Bärenreiter for keeping Haydn's music in print, especially this piece. 

You can learn to play the Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major here. Or just read the score as you listen.