"Music will touch our soul, unfolding its colors within us."
                                                                                       — Gaspar Cassadó

​

A Musical Portrait of the Great Cellist, Composer, and Arranger

​

Gaspar Cassadó (1897–1966) was not only a master of the cello but also a musical bridge between tradition and modernity. A student of Pablo Casals, the founder of modern cello technique, he absorbed Casals’ profound expressive power and combined it with his own virtuosic and distinctive style.

​

His arrangements are legendary: Cassadó transcribed works by Tchaikovsky, Schubert (including the Arpeggione Sonata), and many others for cello and piano, giving these compositions new tonal colors and expressive possibilities. Particularly captivating are his explorations of classical music and Spanish folklore — his Sonata in the Old Spanish Style or arrangements like Requiebros reveal a fusion of Baroque elegance, Romantic depth, and Spanish temperament.

​

Cassadó maintained personal and musical connections with numerous leading musicians of his time. Beyond Pablo Casals, artists such as Manuel de Falla, Isaac Albéniz, and Jascha Heifetz engaged closely with him. He thus became a key figure, uniquely blending musical heritage, virtuosity, and creative transcription.

​

His concerts and chamber music performances often became musical events, as Cassadó captivated audiences with a combination of poetic intimacy, technical brilliance, and vivid tonal painting. Every work he arranged gained a new voice, and his original compositions reflect his deep understanding of sound, structure, and expression.

​

This program showcases the full range of Cassadó’s artistry: from the Sonata in the Old Spanish Style to virtuosic miniatures, where Spanish dances, Baroque elegance, and Romantic sonority merge into a unique musical experience.

​

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

​​

CELLO PUR – GASPAR CASSADÓ IN FOCUS

Dmitrij Gornowskij, Cello
Amir Tebenikhin, Piano

​

• Sonata in Old Spanish Style, Op. 15 (Cassadó) [approx. 12 min]

• Allegretto grazioso (Cassadó) [approx. 5 min]

• Pastorale (Cassadó) [approx. 6 min]

• Frescobaldi (arr. Cassadó) [approx. 7 min]

• Requiebros (Cassadó, solo cello) [approx. 8 min]

• ​

Total duration: approx. 45–50 minutes