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Richard Blackford: Concerto for Cello & Orchestra 'The Recovery of Paradise' [Printed Music]
£100.00
In stock
Catalogue Number
NMP1150
For Cello & Orchestra
120-page A4 wire-bound Score
Duration: c.28 mins
ISMN No: 979-0-708192-00-8
While writing my cello concerto I read many articles and news bulletins about climate anomalies around the world. Extreme manifestations of the four elements of Nature (Earth, Air/Wind, Water, Fire) became the narratives for the first three movements. The final movement, inspired by the recovery of the town of Paradise, California, which was destroyed by wildfires in 2018, celebrates the resilience of the human spirit in the face of tragedy. In February 2025 Cello Concerto, commissioned by the Czech Philharmonic for the virtuoso cellist Alisa Weilerstein, was premiered in the Rudolfinum, Prague with the Czech Philharmonic under Tomáš Netopil. [Richard Blackford]
FULL SCORE AND PARTS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR HIRE [NMP1151]
FOR DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT
NIMBUS MUSIC PUBLISHING
A PDF Version of this score is available upon request.
Manufacturer: Wyastone Estate Limited, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, NP25 3SR
Email: sales@wyastone.co.uk
Reviews:
“Richard Blackford’s Cello Concerto transcends any sort of genre. It’s just absolute music, it’s very pure. It’s a perfect marriage of emotional and intellectual.” Alisa Weilerstein, premiere performer of 'Recovery of Paradise
"Following Teml’s premiere, Richard Blackford’s concertante work made its world debut His Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, The Recovery of Paradise, offered an effective mix of virtuosity and musical dynamism. Blackford’s concerto was inspired by a series of natural disasters that have recently devastated populations across the globe. This tragic theme entered the music through waves of dramatically fragmented horizontal structures, periodically interrupted by emotionally charged solo cello interjections. The work’s structure, however, displayed a qualitative ascent as it progressed. While the first movement relied on technically dazzling solo passages—brilliantly executed with fierce expressivity by Alisa Weilerstein—the second movement introduced sharper contrasts and richer harmonic textures.
Netopil’s dynamic and nuanced interpretation emphasized Blackford’s sophisticated harmonic language and inventive orchestration, allowing the work to reach its fullest expressive potential. The Recovery of Paradise ultimately matured into an impressive display of musical artistry." Štěpán Hurník, Klasikaplus
"Blackford’s composition carries a strong emotional undercurrent, utilizing dramatic contrasts between and within movements. His melodic and harmonic vocabulary, while rooted in tonality, is refreshingly original. A unique feature is his use of scale-like melodic phrases that pause and resonate, forming layered sound textures—a departure from classical and romantic traditions.
Alisa Weilerstein was the heart of the performance, channeling raw intensity and technical brilliance. She conquered the whirlwind energy of the first movement and brought poetic expression to the lyrical passages. Her singing cello tone resonated through the hall, and she received a thunderous ovation. The Czech Philharmonic provided a sensitive accompaniment, allowing her artistry to shine. Netopil’s direction ensured a seamless interplay between soloist and orchestra. Following the audience’s overwhelming response, Weilerstein returned to the stage for an encore, performing a movement from Bach’s solo cello suites." Jiří Bezděk, Operaplus