Best known for his choral and symphonic works, Krzysztof Penderecki has also written many fascinating concertante pieces.
His Concerto Grosso No. 1 makes full use of the potential for interplay between three solo cellos and orchestra. The Largo for Cello and Orchestra, actually a fully-fledged concerto, was composed for Mstislav Rostropovich.
These works contrast with the virtuoso Sonata for Cello and Orchestra, an ironic, even playful piece unconventionally scored for a large orchestra which includes two bongos, three wood blocks, whip, claves, guiro and tam-tam.
“A phenomenal cellist, one of the best I’ve ever heard.” Krzysztof Penderecki on Ivan Monighetti