Whispers (2025)

My Cello Concerto No. 1 ‘Whispers’ explores a tapestry of emotions, taking the listener on a journey of introspection, as the themes of the concerto echo throughout its four movements.

I. Prologue
The opening movement, Prologue, establishes the main theme of the concerto, a soulful melody that resonates with a sense of longing and introspection. Here, the cello introduces the rich emotional landscape that will be explored by the following movements.

II. Echoes
Echoes opens with an energetic theme, before returning to the slow emotive nature of the first movement. This movement explores the cello’s lyrical capabilities, contrasting soft whispers throughout the orchestra with more pronounced expressive lines, creating a dialogue between the past and present. This movement transitions directly to the next movement, Dance, intertwining their individual themes to create a connected experience.

III. Dance
In Dance, I wanted to give my interpretation of a standard waltz. This lively movement embodies a sense of joy and change, with playful interactions between the cello and the orchestra. It introduces a slow relaxed melody, shortly followed by an exhilarating theme that will be varied throughout the rest of the movement.

IV. Epilogue
The finale, Epilogue, brings the concerto to an exciting end. Here, the cello’s voice cries over the orchestra, expressing the feeling of the ensemble and exploring the ideas thought to be left behind in Prologue. This movement encapsulates the entire concerto, ending as we began.