In croce
- Instrumentation
- Cello, Organ
- Composed
- 1979
- Duration
- 15'
- Publisher
- Sikorski
Purchase or download
About this piece
In croce ('on the cross') is one of Gubaidulina's best-known works. She wrote it in 1979 for the cellist Vladimir Tonkha, who premiered it in Kazan on 27 March 1979 with the organist Rubin Abdullin. The title describes its design: the two instruments begin at opposite ends of the register and gradually cross, exchanging places by the end, with an intense climax at the crossing point. Gubaidulina revised it in 1991, and with the accordionist Elsbeth Moser made a version for cello and bayan (Russian button accordion) that is now often played. There are also versions for double bass. Sikorski publishes the cello-and-organ original (SIK 1829) and the cello-and-bayan version, both represented worldwide by Boosey & Hawkes.
Technical overview
A single movement of about 15 minutes, built on the two parts exchanging registers, so the cello line moves from one end of its range to the other and builds to an intense climax where the lines cross.