Suite For Solo Cello - Gaspar Cassadó
Gaspar Cassadó - Suite for Solo Cello
I. Preludio - Fantasia
II. Sardana (Danza)
III. Intermezzo e Danza Finale
Arranged for guitar by Alec Holcomb
This sheet music is digital only.
Files Included
- Fingered Version (20 pages)
- Unfingered Version (17 pages)
- Fingering Symbol Guide
File Information
- Fingered version shows exactly how I've discovered to play this piece over countless performances. These fingerings are detailed, and I've also included a guide as to exactly how to understand the symbols.
- Unfingered version allows you to make choices and discoveries without influence.
My experience with this piece
I've found this music is full of moments that allow for all types of subtle interpretation. With single line singing phrases, and chunky, harmonically interesting chords, it allows the guitar as an instrument to really sing and dig in.
The tuning for the 1st and 3rd movement drops the A string to a G and the E string to a C. This is real low, but still enough tension on the strings to really let 'em have it without a ton of buzzing. I've had so much fun with this tuning that I've adopted it for my own writing - I highly recommend messing around with it.
One thought that's popped into my head frequently while playing this piece is finding a balance between three elements. These elements are the music itself, the characteristics of the cello as an instrument, and the characteristics of the guitar. When does it feel like Cassadó was writing for the sonic qualities of and physical limitations of the cello? When does the music feel like Cassadó was imitating another instrument, such as the guitar? What kind of unexpected results can the guitar's natural sound have on this music, in both pure and traditional ways? Anyway, if you do play this piece, I'd love to hear what kind of stuff bubbles up for you.
Hope you enjoy!
-Alec