Abstract
This doctoral essay discusses the formal structure, orchestration, and thematic elements I used in my Cello Concerto, composed for Romanian cellist Andrei Ioniță. This essay outlines research I did in advance of composing the work; generalities of my musical style; and an analysis of the concerto. The essay discusses works in the cello repertoire that I studied in preparation for composing the piece, including solo works from Bach to the present day, as well as cello concerti and orchestral works from the classical era to the 21st century. I also discuss elements of Romanian music I incorporated into the piece, as Andrei’s Romanian heritage is something I explored in this work. I examine generalities of my musical style as applicable to the techniques that I employed in this work. The essay concludes with an analysis of the entire work, with a particular focus on the third movement, “Sarabande-Fantasy”, and the fifth movement, “Romanian Festival”.