Editions of Standard Cello Repertoire

Welcome to my comprehensive list of editions for the standard cello repertoire. I hope that you find this list helpful when choosing the right piece for yourself or your student. Each work includes a grade level 1 through 6 (based on the ASTA syllabus recommendations).

The key to the ASTA grading:
Grade 1: easy keys like D, G, and C major; easy rhythms with 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4 meters; exclusively in first position.
Grade 2: keys include D, G, C, F, B-flat, and A major, and D and G minor; rhythms and bowings are more difficult than Grade 1; use of 1-4 positions.
Grade 3: use of tenor clef; use of 1-7 positions; thumb on the center harmonic; longer slurring and other complex bowing styles; simple double stops.
Grade 4: use of thumb position and treble clef; more advanced double stops.
Grade 5 and 6: use of all positions, bowings styles, double stops, etc.

Each work also includes currently available editions and my recommendations. The editions are split into 3 categories: Urtext/Critical (based on original sources), Performance (has useful fingerings and bowings), and Non-performance (no useful fingering or bowing, and not based on original sources). If you would like to suggest a work for this list, I would be happy to consider it. You may also read my detailed reviews of major publishers here.

A note of caution: Piano parts in sonatas that say "for Piano and Cello" or "for Cello and Piano" are all Grade 6 for the pianist. These are not "accompaniments." It can take the pianist 6-12 months to learn these sonatas properly. Baroque piano reductions and basso continuo realizations are typically Grades 2-3 for the pianist; classical and romantic piano reductions are Grades 4-5; 20th and 21st-century piano reductions are Grades 5-6. Bach's Gamba sonatas are Grades 4-5 for the harpsichord/piano. Please plan accordingly!

Alkan
Sonate de concert for Piano and Cello, Op. 47
Grade 5
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter
Non-performance Edition(s): Gerard Billaudot Editeur, LudwigMasters Publications
Note: Barenreiter is the best choice for this piece. Unfortunately, it's currently out of print. There is a copy on IMSLP; check if it's in the public domain in your country. Gerard Billaudot is way too expensive for what it is; I don't think this piece is worth the $70 asking price. LudwigMasters is badly engraved.

Bach, C.P.E.
Concerto in A major, H. 439
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Eulenburg/Kunzelmann, YL Edition
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): cpebach.org, Eulenburg/Kunzelmann, YL Edition
Arrangements: IMC (Cassado, in F major), Salabert (Pollain)
Note: You may learn more about my edition from this article. Avoid getting the Kunzelmann edition. It has mistakes and bad page turns in the solo part. Cpebach.org is of better quality but also has bad page turns in the solo part.

Bach, J.S.
3 Gamba Sonatas, BWV 1027-1029
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Breitkopf (Klengel), Henle, Peters (Grützmacher), IMC (Klengel)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle

Bach, J.S. 
6 Suites, BWV 1007-1012
Grade 3 (no. 1), 4 (nos. 2-3), 5 (nos. 4-5), 6 (no. 6)
​Performance Edition(s): Barenreiter (Wenzinger), Henle (Ginzel), Peer Music (Starker)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Bach Gesellschaft (reprinted by Dover), Henle (based on AMB), YL Edition (based on Kellner and Westphal), Wiener Urtext (based on Westphal and Traeg)
Note: Because of the large number of Bach Suite editions, I am only listing the ones I would recommend. I do not recommend the new Barenreiter (Talle) edition. However, I do highly recommend the Dover for the first 5 suites. It's a reprint of the Bach Gesellschaft edition, a very well-prepared critical edition. It's free on IMSLP. 

Barber
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 6
Grade 5 
First Edition (non-performance): Schirmer
Note: This edition lacks a few dynamic markings which disciples of Orlando Cole have penciled into their parts.

Barber
Concerto, Op. 22
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Schirmer (Garbousova)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Here is an article I wrote about a few confusing passages.

Beethoven
5 Sonatas for Piano and Cello, Opp. 5, 69, and 102
Grades 4 (nos. 1-2) and 5 (nos. 3-5)
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas),IMC (Fournier), Schirmer (Starker), Peters (Schulz)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle

Beethoven
Variations for Piano and Cello, Op. 66, WoO 45 and 46
Grades 4 (WoO 45 and 46) and 5 (Op. 66)
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas), Schirmer (Starker), Peters (Stutschewsky)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle

Berteau
6 Sonatas (for Cello and Basso Continuo)
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Grancino (under Martino), IMC (Rose, only G major), Ricordi (Salmon, under Sammartini)
First Edition: Richomme
Note: The G major sonata has been erroneously published under the name Sammartini. These sonatas can be played by 2 cellos (last one by 3 cellos)

Bloch
Jewish Life (3 pieces for Cello and Piano)
Grade 4 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Carl Fischer
Note: Currently available as part of a collection with other works for cello and piano by Bloch.

Bloch
Schelomo
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): YL Edition
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Schirmer
Note: The Schirmer cello solo part is full of mistakes. Here is an article about the YL Edition Urtext edition. See my website store to purchase the Urtext Edition (marked and unmarked).

Boccherini 
Concerto No. 1, G. 477
Grade 5  
Non-​performance Edition(s): Ricordi/Zanibon and Schott​​
Note: Parts of the first and third movements were used by Grützmacher in his Concerto in B-flat major based on Boccherini's themes.

Boccherini
Concerto No. 2, G. 479
Grade 5 
Non-​performance Edition(s): Ricordi/Zanibon and Schott​​
Note: There are still 2 editions floating around in libraries that should be avoided: Muzyka (Aslamazyan) and Ricordi (Respighi). These editions are highly edited, recomposed, and reorchestrated.

Boccherini
Concerto No. 3, G. 480
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Edition Delrieu (Gendron)
Non-​performance Edition(s): Ricordi/Zanibon and Schott
Note: The second movement was used by Grützmacher in his Concerto in B-flat major based on Boccherini's themes.

Boccherini  
Concerto No. 9, G. 482
Grade 6
Performance Edition(s): Édition Delrieu (Gendron)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Reinhardt (Sturzenegger)
Non-​performance Edition(s): Ricordi/Zanibon
Note: Parts of the first and third movements were used by Grützmacher in his Concerto in B-flat major based on Boccherini's themes.

Boccherini
Cello Sonatas (for Cello and Basso Continuo)
Grades 5-6
​Performance Edition(s): Ricordi (Paternoster, 19 sonatas) Ricordi (Piatti, 6 sonatas), Zanibon (Pais, complete)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Ricordi (Paternoster), Zanibon (Pais)
Note: I do not recommend the Wakelkamp edition because of the extremely high price and poor engraving quality. 

Brahms
Sonata No. 1 for Piano and Cello, Op. 38
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), IMC (Rose), Peters (Klengel), Wiener Urtext (Boettcher)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Breitkopf (Hans Gal,reprinted by Dover), Henle, Wiener Urtext

Brahms
Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello, Op. 99
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), IMC (Rose), Peters (Klengel), Wiener Urtext (Boettcher) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Breitkopf (Hans Gal,reprinted by Dover), Henle, Wiener Urtext

Breval
6 Sonatas, Op. 40 (for 2 Cellos)
Grade 2 
​Performance Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving (Leonovich), Henle (Klein, no. 1 only)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving, Güntersberg
Note: These sonatas should be played by 2 cellos, not with piano accompaniment. Some of these sonatas were arranged into "concertos" and "concertinos" by Feuillard, published by Delrieu. These Feuillard arrangements do not contain any music from Breval's own concertos.

Breval
Sonatas Op. 28 (for 2 Cellos)
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving (Leonovich)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving
Note: These sonatas should be played by 2 cellos, not with piano accompaniment. Some of these sonatas were arranged into "concertos" and "concertinos" by Feuillard, published by Delrieu. These Feuillard arrangements do not contain any music from Breval's own concertos.

Breval
Sonatas Op. 12 (for 2 Cellos)
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving (Leonovich), IMC (Cassado, no. 5 only), Schott (Cahnbley, no.5 only)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving
Note: These sonatas should be played by 2 cellos, not with piano accompaniment. Op. 12/6 slow movement was arranged by Feuillard into the slow movement of "Concerto No.2," published by Delrieu. This Feuillard arrangement does not contain any music from Breval's own concertos.

Bridge
Sonata for Cello and Piano (1913-1917)
Grade 4
​Performance Edition(s): Boosey
Note: The Boosey edition of this work is a reprint of the Winthrop Rogers edition that is available on IMSLP.

Britten
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 65
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Boosey (Rostropovich)

Britten
3 Suites for Solo Cello, Opp. 72, 80, and 87
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Faber (Rostropovich)

Bruch
Kol Nidrei, Op. 47
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (part of the Contest Album), Henle (Poltéra), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle

Casadesus
Viola Concerto in C minor (formerly attributed to J.C. Bach)
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Salabert (arr. Marechal)
Note: This kind of work is called a "musical hoax" in the scholarly community. It was composed by a 20th-century violist for viola in a neo-romantic style. There are 2 Salabert editions, which are different only with regards to typesetting. If you do teach this piece, avoid the new, engraving-software-looking edition that's currently available from Shar and other music retailers.

Cassado
Requiebros
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Schott (Cassado)

Cassado 
Toccata (formerly attributed to Frescobaldi)
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Universal (Cassado)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: This kind of work is called a "musical hoax" in the scholarly community.

Cassado
Suite for Solo Cello
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Universal (Cassado)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition (in preparation)

Chopin
Sonata for Piano and Cello, Op. 65
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), IMC (Fournier), Peters (Grützmacher), Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne

Chopin
Introduction and Polonaise Brillante for Piano and Cello, Op. 3
Grades vary by edition/arrangement
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser, Grade 4), IMC (arr. Rose, Grade 6), Peters (Grützmacher, Grade 4), Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne, Schirmer (arr. Graudan, Grade 6), Schott (arr. Gendron-Francaix, Grade 6)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle (Original, Grade 4), Polskie Wydawnictwo Muzyczne (Original, Grade 4)
Note: Avoid the Kunzelmann (arr. Mifune) edition.

Dall'Abaco
11 Caprices for Solo Cello
Grades 4-5
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Hamrefors (on IMSLP), YL Edition, White Prince Edition
Note: I do not recommend the Musedita edition of this work because of its very poor quality.

Davydov (Davidoff)
Romance sans paroles
Grade 3 
​Performance Edition(s): Muzyka, Schott

Davydov (Davidoff)
At the Fountain
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition

Debussy
Sonata for Cello and Piano
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
First Edition: Durand (available on IMSLP)
Note: I cannot recommend the Barenreiter edition because it is poorly engraved.

Dotzauer-Klingenberg
113 Studies
Grades 1-5 (progressive)
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (1-62 only), IMC, Schirmer
Note: The 113 Studies is a 4 volume set compiled and edited by Klingenberg. They do not reflect Dotzauer's original marking, fingerings, or dynamics. Dotzauer composed upwards of 200 solo cello etudes, which I recommend exploring in the context of their respective Op. numbers, starting with Op. 120.

Duport
21 Studies (Essai sur le doigté du violoncelle)
Grades 3-6
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Schmidt), Schirmer (Schulz)
Note: These etudes are the most beneficial when played with the second cello part (by the teacher). Avoid getting the Barenreiter (Rummel), Litolff (Klingenberg), and Peters (Grützmacher) edition as they depart from Duport's musical text and markings.

Dvořák 
Concerto, Op. 104
Grade 6  
​Performance Edition(s): Breitkopf (Schiff), IMC (Rose), Schirmer (Starker)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Breitkopf, Henle, YL Edition (comparative edition)
Note: Because there are dozens of editions of this work, I am only including the editions I would recommend. Read my article about my comparative edition for information on textual variants. Avoid the currently available Simrock edition (and Kalmus reprint). Supraphon published an Urtext orchestra score (available on IMSLP), but the cello part sold with the piano reduction is highly edited. 

Dvořák 
Rondo, Op. 94
Grade 5  
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), IMC (Rose) Wiener Urtext (Rivinius) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Wiener Urtext 
Note: Wiener Urtext is the best deal because this work is part of a Dvorak collection with 3 other pieces.

​​​​Dvořák
Silent Woods, Op. 68, No. 5
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), IMC (Stutch) Wiener Urtext (Rivinius)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Wiener Urtext
First Edition: Simrock (available on IMSLP)
Note: Wiener Urtext is the best deal because this work is part of a Dvorak collection with 3 other pieces. In the Simrock and IMC editions, be aware of 3 wrong notes in the cello part 3 before the end and a missing B-double-flat in the piano part in m. 4. Simrock on IMSLP uses the old treble clef in place of the tenor clef; some cellists will not mind this peculiarity.

Elgar
Concerto, Op. 85
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Masters Music (Colon)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Novello (published in 2010s)
First Edition: Novello (and Masters Music reprint available on IMSLP)
Note: Masters Music (Colon) is poorly engraved. Use it only for the fingerings, if you want. For notes, use one of the critical editions.

Falla
Suite Populaire Espagnole
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Eschig (arr. Marechal)

Falla
Ritual Fire Dance and Dance of Terror
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Chester (arr. Piatigorsky)

Fauré
Apres un reve, Op. 7/1
Grade 4   
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (arr. Casals)
Note: This song comes from a cycle of Trois (3) mélodies, Op. 7. The other 2 songs lie well on the cello as well, if you enjoy exploring the vocal repertoire.

Fauré
Elegie, Op. 24 
Grade 4  
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose), Schirmer (Deri) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Peters (part of a collection)

Fauré
Sicilienne, Op. 78
Grade 3 
Performance Edition(s): IMC
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Peters (part of a collection)

Fauré
Sonata No. 1 for Piano and Cello, Op. 109
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
First edition: Durand (available on IMSLP)
Note: Be aware that Henle removed Fauré's original rehearsal letters, so the mixing of editions becomes more labor-intensive. Durand works very well.

Fauré
Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello, Op. 117
Grade 5  
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle 
First edition: Durand (available on IMSLP)
Note: Be aware that Henle removed Fauré's original rehearsal letters, so the mixing of editions becomes more labor-intensive. Durand works very well.

Foss
Capriccio
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (Piatigorsky)

Franchomme
12 Caprices, Op. 7
Grade 4-5
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Performance Edition(s): IMC (Klengel), Schott (Becker)
Note: The Klengel edition is highly edited and abridged. It has dozens of extra notes and a large cut in #7. The Becker edition is mostly true to the original musical text but has hundreds of new dynamic marks and articulations. Both of these are available on IMSLP.

Franck-Delsart
Sonata for Piano and Violin (Transcribed for cello)
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Poltéra), IMC (Rose)
Note: Henle is not "urtext" in this case because this is an arrangement of a violin work, but they did a great job with the edition. Barenreiter is poorly engraved, so I cannot recommend it. Avoid the Kunzelmann (Mifune) edition.

Gabrielli
7 Ricerceri for Solo Cello
Grade 3 
​Performance Edition(s): Schott
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter

Glazunov 
Melodie and Serenade espagnole, Op. 20
Grade 4 
​Non-Performance Edition(s): Peters
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Belaieff

Glazunov
Chant du Menestrel, Op. 71
Grade 4
​Non-Performance Edition(s): IMC (copy of Belaieff)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Belaieff

Goltermann 
Concerto No. 3, Op. 51
Grade 4
Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (Shultz), IMC (Klengel)

Goltermann
Concerto No. 4, Op. 65
Grade 3 
​Performance Edition(s): Artistic Music Engraving (Carneiro), IMC (Rose), Schirmer (van Vliet)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Artistic Music Engraving

Granados (arr. Cassadó)
Intermezzo from Goyescas
Grade 4
Performance Edition(s): Schirmer
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition

Grieg
Sonata for Piano and Cello, Op. 36
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas), IMC (Rose), Peters
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle

​Grützmacher
24 Technical Studies, Op. 38 (in 2 volumes)
Grades 2-6 (progressive)
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Klengel), Peters (Klengel)
Note: Avoid getting the Barenreiter (Rummel) edition of these etudes.

Haydn
Concerto in C, Hob VIIb: 1
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), IMC (Rostropovich), Peters (Bosbach)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle

Haydn
Concerto in D, Hob VIIb: 2
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), Schott (Gendron), Peters (Storck)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Peters (Storck)
Note: Avoid getting Breitkopf (Gevaert), IMC (Gevaert-Rose), Kalmus (Klengel).

Herbert
Concerto No. 1, Op. 8
Grade 6 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition

Herbert
Concerto No. 2, Op. 30
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose), YL Edition (in preparation)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition (in preparation)

Hindemith
Sonata for Solo Cello, Op. 25, No. 3
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Schott (old edition)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Schott (new edition)

Janacek
Pohadka, for Piano and Cello
Grade 5 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Supraphon
Note: Supraphon is available on IMSLP. 

Kabalevsky
Concerto No. 1, Op. 49
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC, Leeds, Sikorski

Kabalevsky
Concerto No. 2, Op. 77
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Sikorski (Shafran)
Note: There are 3 different printings of this piece. I discuss these in this article.

Klengel
Concertino No. 1, Op. 7
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Breitkopf (Klengel), IMC (Rose), YL Edition (Klengel, corrected)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition (also orchestrated)
Note: Here is an article about my orchestration.

Kodaly
Sonata for Solo Cello Op. 8
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Masters Music (Colon)
First Edition: Universal

Lalo
Concerto
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose), Peters (Klengel), Schirmer (Deri)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle
Note: Avoid the Barenreiter edition because of poor engraving.

Lee
40 Études mélodiques et progressives, Op.31 (in 2 vols.)
Grades 3 (vol. 1) and 4 (vol. 2)
First Edition: Aulagnier (Lee)
Performance Edition(s) (all with cuts!): Carl Fischer (Becker), IMC (Becker), Schirmer (Schulz), Schott
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Notes: All performance editions listed above contain major cuts by Hugo Becker in numbers 10, 14, 22, 24, 28, 29, 35, and 36. Some passages are recomposed by Hugo Becker to accommodate the cuts. Some passages are recomposed in number 11. Schott is newly engraved, based on Becker's version. In the Schott, the etudes are often spread across 3 pages, introducing unnecessary page turns and many mistakes like wrong notes, missing time/key signatures, and repeats in the wrong place.

Ligeti
Sonata (1948-1953)
Grade 6 
First Edition: Schott

Locatelli
Sonata in D major
Grade 6
Performance edition(s): Artaria (arr. Starkweather), IMC (arr. Piatti, reprint of Schott), Schott (arr. Piatti)
Note: This piece is a compilation of 2 violin sonatas: Op. 6/6 (first and third movements) and Op. 6/12 (second movement). The Artaria edition includes arrangements of the 2 violin sonatas in their entirety. However, Artaria's prices are very steep for digital editions. I don't recommend Artaria. Stick to the free Schott edition on IMSLP.

Mendelssohn 
Sonata No. 1 for Piano and Cello, Op. 45
Grade 4
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), Peters (Cahnbley)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle
Note: Barenreiter and Peters are a part of a Mendelssohn complete cello music collection

Mendelssohn  
Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello Op. 58
Grade 5
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), Peters (Cahnbley) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle 
Note: Barenreiter and Peters are a part of a Mendelssohn complete cello music collection

Mendelssohn
Song without words for Cello and Piano, Op. 109
Grade 3
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), Peters (Cahnbley) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle 
Note: Barenreiter and Peters are a part of a Mendelssohn complete cello music collection

Mendelssohn
Variations Piano and Cello, Op. 17
Grade 5
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Kanngiesser), Peters (Cahnbley) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle 
Note: Barenreiter and Peters are a part of a Mendelssohn complete cello music collection

Paganini
24 Caprices, Op. 1
Grade 6
Performance Edition(s): Ricordi (Silva)
​​​​​​Note: Ricordi has Silva's preparatory exercises for each Caprice.

Paganini
Variations on one string
Grade 5
Performance Edition(s): IMC (Fournier), Ricordi (Silva)

Piatti
12 Caprices, Op. 25
Grade 5
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Piatti), Ricordi (Silva), Simrock (Piatti)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
Note: I like the Henle edition, but my students have used Simrock from IMSLP with great success. Ricordi has Silva's preparatory exercises for each Caprice.

Popper
Elfentanz, Op. 39
Grade 6
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (Rostropovich), Faber (Isserlis), IMC (Fournier)
Note: IMC (Cassado), currently out of print, is shorter and has a recomposed piano part (a little more avant-garde)

Popper
High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73
​Performance Edition(s): Bärenreiter (Rummel), IMC (Popper, reprint), Paladino (Rummel, revised), Schirmer (Popper, reprint)
First Edition: Hofmeister
AVOID AT ALL COSTS: Dover (Yablonsky) edition. This is one of the worst editions I've seen on the market of any work.

Popper
Hungarian Rhapsody, Op. 68
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (Malkin), Hofmeister (Popper, reprinted by Kalmus), IMC (Rose), Schirmer (Starker, part of a collection)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition (Popper)
Notes: Carl Fischer and Schirmer simplify a few passages, including the upper register scales and chords in the fast sections.

Popper 
Im Walde, Op. 50
Grade 5 
​Performance Edition(s): Barenreiter (Rummel), Rahter (Popper), YL Edition (Popper) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition

Popper
Tarantella, Op. 33
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose), Rahter (Popper), Schirmer (Starker, part of a collection)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition 

Poulenc
Sonata for Cello and Piano
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition (First Edition): Heugel (Fournier)
Note: There is also a revised edition in 1953.

Prokofiev
Sinfonia Concertante, Op. 125
Grade 6
​Performance Edition(s): Boosey (Rostropovich)
Note: Read my article about the musical text in Prokofiev's manuscript.

Prokofiev
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 119
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rostropovich), Peters (Rostropovich)
Note: Absolutely avoid getting the Sikorski edition! Here is my article explaining the reasons.

Rachmaninov
Sonata for Piano and Cello, Op. 19
Grade 5
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Gutheil (reprinted by Boosey, IMC, Jurgenson)
Note: None of the major publishers get it right with this edition. Expect misprints. YL Edition offers a corrected cello part at my website store. I wrote an article about the deficiencies in the current editions.

Rachmaninov
Vocalise, Op. 34/14
Grade 4
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose)
Note: The Vocalise is the last in a set of 14 Romances that are all well worth exploring. Op. 4 Romances also work great on cello.

Reger
3 Suites, Op. 131c
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), IMC (Kurtz)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle

Romberg
Sonata Op. 43/1
Grade 2
Performance Edition(s): IMC, YL Edition (Romberg)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Romberg's sonatas Op. 43 were composed as pedagogical pieces for 2 cellos (student and teacher). Jansen of the IMC edition was a pianist, not a cellist. The old IMC edition actually has Romberg's fingerings and bowings for the most part. The new IMC (Solow) edition leaves the poorly written piano part and adds a poor engraving on top of that.

Romberg
Sonata Op. 43/2
Grade 3
​Performance Edition(s): IMC, YL Edition (Romberg)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Romberg's sonatas Op. 43 were composed as pedagogical pieces for 2 cellos (student and teacher). Jansen of the IMC edition was a pianist, not a cellist. The old IMC edition actually has Romberg's fingerings and bowings for the most part. The new IMC (Solow) edition leaves the poorly written piano part and adds a poor engraving on top of that.

Romberg 
Sonata Op. 43/3
Grade 4
​Performance Edition(s): IMC, YL Edition (Romberg) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition 
Note: Romberg's sonatas Op. 43 were composed as pedagogical pieces for 2 cellos (student and teacher). Jansen of the IMC edition was a pianist, not a cellist. The old IMC edition actually has Romberg's fingerings and bowings for the most part. The new IMC (Solow) edition leaves the poorly written piano part and adds a poor engraving on top of that.

Romberg
Sonata Op. 38/1 (Trio)
Grade 3
​Performance Edition(s):  IMC, YL Edition (Romberg) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Romberg's sonatas Op. 38 were composed as pedagogical pieces for 2 cellos and viola. Jansen of the IMC edition was a pianist, not a cellist. The old IMC edition actually has Romberg's fingerings and bowings for the most part. The new IMC (Solow) edition leaves the poorly written piano part and adds a poor engraving on top of that.

Romberg
Sonatas Op. 38/2-3 (Trio)
Grade 4
​Performance Edition(s):  IMC, YL Edition (Romberg)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Romberg's sonatas Op. 38 were composed as pedagogical pieces for 2 cellos and viola. Jansen of the IMC edition was a pianist, not a cellist. The old IMC edition actually has Romberg's fingerings and bowings for the most part. The new IMC (Solow) edition leaves the poorly written piano part and adds a poor engraving on top of that.

Saint-Saens
Allegro Appassionato, Op. 43
Grade 3-4
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (as part of 15 Contest Pieces), Henle (Geringas), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle, YL Edition
Notes: This work also appears in the Saint-Saens collection published by Faber with Isserlis's markings. It wouldn't be my top choice, but the preface has some good information.

Saint-Saens 
Concerto No. 1, Op. 33
Grade 5  
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (Malkin), Henle (Geringas), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
Note: Carl Fischer and IMC are only good for fingerings and bowings.

Saint-Saens 
Concerto No. 2, Op. 119
Grade 6 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition (first edition with modern clefs)
Note: Read my article about this edition.

Saint-Saens
Sonata No. 1 for Piano and Cello, Op. 32
Grade 4
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas), IMC
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
Note: The Durand edition on IMSLP is a great option.

Saint-Saens 
Sonata No. 2 for Piano and Cello, Op. 123
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle
Note: The Durand edition on IMSLP is a great option.

Saint-Saens
Suite Op. 16b
Grade 5
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Read my article about the YL Edition. Absolutely avoid getting the Schott (Kliegel) edition of this work because it is full of errors and is poorly engraved. The same warning extends to Romance, Op. 67 published by Schott.

Saint-Saens 
The Swan 
Grade 3 
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer (as part of 15 Contest Pieces), Henle (Geringas), IMC (Rose) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, YL Edition
Notes: This work also appears in the Saint-Saens collection published by Faber with Isserlis's markings. It wouldn't be my top choice, but the preface has some good information.

Schubert
Sonata "Arpeggione" for Cello and Piano, D. 821
Grade 6
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Barenreiter, Henle, YL Edition
Note: Henle and YL Edition are the most cello-friendly editions.

Schumann 
Adagio and Allegro for Piano and Cello, Op. 70
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Hess), IMC (Kurtz), Peters (Grützmacher), YL Edition (urtext piano part)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle 
Note: IMC has a pitch error in m. 89, note 1 (needs to be A-flat). IMC has a pitch error in m. 67, note 3 (needs to be D-natural).

Schumann
Concerto, Op. 129
Grade 6
​Performance Edition(s): Breitkopf (Klengel), Breitkopf Urtext (Schiff), Carl Fischer (Feuermann), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Breitkopf, YL Edition
Note: Only the YL Edition contains a clean cello solo part without markings. Avoid the new Peters "Urtext" edition edited by Josephine Knight. It's carelessly researched, mostly acting on inexperienced impulse. There is no scholarship behind this edition.

Schumann 
Fantasiestücke for Piano and Cello, Op. 73 
Grade 4 
​Performance Edition(s): Henle (Ginzel), Peters (Grützmacher) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle 

Schumann 
Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102 
Grade 4-5 
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Geringas), IMC (Davidoff/Davydov, Pohle reprint), Peters (Grutzmacher) 
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle 
Note: The IMC (Davidoff) edition uses the old treble clef instead of the tenor clef. Some cello won't mind the treble clef; I personally prefer it. Grutzmacher's edition is very good and is available on IMSLP.

Servais
6 Caprices, Op. 11 (2nd cello ad lib.)
Grade 6
Performance Edition(s): Gérard Billaudot (Tournus, with new piano part), IMC (Becker), Schott (Becker), Ricordi (Filippini)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Schott (Servais, 1852)

Servais 
Souvenir de Spa
Grade 6 
Performance Edition(s): IMC (Stutch)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
First Edition: Schott, Richault

Ševčík
40 Variations, Op. 3 (Bowing Technique)
Grades 3 and 4
​Performance Edition(s): Bosworth (arr. Feuillard)
Note: Whether you buy it or download it from IMSLP, the music is the same. There are the same note mistakes in both. For example, Variation 17, m. 15, note 1 needs to be a B-natural, not B-flat. Many teachers will have this kind of thing marked in their music if they taught these etudes for any length of time.

Shostakovich
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 40
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): DSCH (Rostropovich?) IMC (Rose), Peters (Rostropovich)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Read my article about the questionable authenticity of the DSCH edition.

Shostakovich
Concerto No. 1, Op. 107
Grade 6
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rostropovich)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): DSCH
Note: Avoid getting the Sikorski edition because of poor engraving and glossy paper.

Shostakovich 
Concerto No. 2, Op. 126
Grade 6
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rostropovich)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): DSCH
Note: Avoid getting the Sikorski edition because of poor engraving and glossy paper.

Squire
Danse Rustique, Op. 20/5
Grade 2
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer

Squire
Bourree, Op. 24
Grade 3
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer
Note: Stylistically, this piece is a gavotte, not a bourree. This piece is also in the 15 Contest Pieces collection.

Squire
Tarantella, Op. 23
Grade 3
​Performance Edition(s): Carl Fischer

Strauss
Don Quixote, Op. 35
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Rose), Masters Music (Colon), Peters
Note: There is a real need for a critical edition for this work. You might use Masters Music (Colon) for fingerings and bowings, but the engraving is of very poor quality. The Vaught edition is also of poor quality.

Strauss
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 6
Grade 5
Performance Edition(s): Henle (Moser), IMC (Rose)
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Henle, Schott (complete edition sonata volume for €270.00)
First Edition: Aibl (reprinted by Universal)
Note: Get the IMC (best deal), or download the Aibl from IMSLP. I don't think Henle is worth 2x the price of IMC. There is nothing controversial about this work. Be careful not to buy the Schott "1st Version."

Stravinsky
Suite Italienne for Cello and Piano
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Boosey (Piatigorsky)
Note: Read my article about the reliability of the Boosey edition.

Tchaikovsky
Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC (Fitzenhagen-Rose), Simrock (Fitzenhagen-Geringas), YL Edition - Original and Standard
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition - Original and Standard, Peters (Wallfisch, spurious), Schott (spurious)
Note: Read my article about the YL Edition. Peters and Schott are both based mostly on the Kubatsky revision and not the manuscripts. IMC also has many mistakes. The autograph manuscript is available on IMSLP; compare it for yourself.

Tchaikovsky
Pezzo Capriccioso, Op. 62
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): IMC
Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Don't get the Schott (Gendron) Edition. It's a different piece.

Telemann (arr. Leonovich)
12 Fantasias for Viola da gamba
Grades 4 and 5 
​Performance Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: You may read about this transcription and purchase it at my website store.

Vivaldi
9 Sonatas for Cello and Basso Continuo
Grade 3 
​Performance Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving (Leonovich), IMC (Rose), Schirmer (Graudan)
​​​​​​​Urtext/Critical Edition(s): Artistic Score Engraving, Wiener Urtext
Note: I cannot recommend the Barenreiter edition because it contains multiple errors in the bass realization. The IMC bass realization is modern-sounding and impractical.

Vivaldi
26 Concertos
Note: See the article specifically dedicated to the concertos, breaking down the level of each work.

Walton
Concerto
Grade 6 
​Performance Edition(s): Oxford (Piatigorsky)
Note: This edition has been recently updated to include an alternative ending.

Weber
Grand Potpourri, Op. 20
Grade 5
​Performance Edition(s): YL Edition
​​​​​​​Urtext/Critical Edition(s): YL Edition
Note: Read my article about the YL Edition. You may purchase a copy at my website store. Absolutely avoid getting the Kunzelmann (Beyer) edition of this work because it is full of errors and is poorly engraved.

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