Song of the Birds (for two cellos)

About this piece

A 2007 version for two cellos of Beamish's arrangement of the Catalan folk song 'El cant dels ocells', the melody associated with Pablo Casals; it was commissioned by Steven Isserlis and the score is headed 'for Steven and HRH'. In the opening bars the first cello plays essentially the chordal solo arrangement of 1998, while the second cello adds a slow, sustained bass of held notes and double stops beneath it. It lasts about four minutes.

Technical overview

Cello 1 voices the slow melody in sustained three- and four-note chords with bowed tremolo and bass, tenor and treble clefs; cello 2 is a much simpler part of long held notes and double stops that must stay balanced and in tune under the chords.

Technical focus

• Double Stops
• Ensemble Skills
• Bow Control
• Sustain
• Meter Changes
• Hairpin Dynamics