"There's no accounting for taste," or so the saying goes. As a professional cellist with a doctorate, it's been a long journey exploring all the pieces I could get my hands on. When I was a teenager, I devoured music with an obsession, whether it was Mahler, Shostakovich, or Tchaikovsky. Before IMSLP existed, I spent hours in the Detroit Public Library, checking out every piece of sheet music I could find—cello music or otherwise. I discovered interlibrary loan (ILL) at 13 and used my undergrad and grad school libraries, as well as OhioLink, to their fullest.

I went through my "popular classical music" phase early, before I turned 14. During that time, I loved Bach, Beethoven's Fifth and Ninth Symphonies, Bizet's Carmen, and L'Arlésienne. By 14, I wanted to push my boundaries and explore lesser-known works. Today, as a professor, I hear standard repertoire like the Bach Suites and Haydn Concertos regularly in lessons and performances. I appreciate them deeply, but they don't make my personal relaxation playlist.

Here are 12 pieces I'll never tire of and why they resonate with me.

Max Bruch – Konzertstück, Op. 84
Bruch’s Konzertstück, Op. 84 is a beautiful two-movement violin concerto that beautifully captures the late Romantic German style. The first movement, in F# minor, is fast and energetic, while the second, in G-flat major, contrasts with a slower, lyrical melody. One of the highlights of this piece is the second theme in the first movement, which is incredibly beautiful and haunting. Despite its emotional depth and musical richness, it remains underappreciated compared to Bruch's more famous G-minor Violin Concerto. This piece has a way of staying with you, often becoming a pleasant earworm long after the music stops.

André Caplet – Épiphanie
André Caplet's Épiphanie: Fresque musicale d'après une légende éthiopienne is a stunning two-movement work in the morceau de concours style, featuring a slow and lyrical opening followed by a fast and fiery conclusion, with a dramatic cadenza connecting the two. The orchestration is rich and colorful, paired with a lush and evocative harmonic language. In some ways, it echoes the grandeur and emotional depth of Bloch's Schelomo. The fast movement, with its driving 5/4 time signature, crackles with energy, making it a thrilling piece to experience.

Gaspar Cassadó – Rapsodia del Sur
I couldn't leave Gaspar Cassadó off this list—there's so much to say about his music and brilliant mind. Rapsodia del Sur is a gem among his works, structured in three parts that transition from a slow and reflective opening to increasingly faster and more vibrant sections. The harmonies and melodies are captivating, showcasing Cassadó's unique voice, and the interplay between cello and piano is both challenging and enjoyable. Dedicated to Ernesto Halffter, this piece remained unpublished during Cassadó's lifetime, yet it reflects a maturity and refinement beyond his earlier, longer works for cello and piano.

Paul Dukas – La Péri
While Paul Dukas's L'apprenti sorcier is undoubtedly his most famous work, his ballet La Péri holds a special place in my heart. This 18-minute, single-movement orchestral poem is full of vibrant orchestration and beautiful melodies, making it a captivating listen from start to finish. The piece tells the story of a Persian legend, blending mystical elements with lush, evocative sounds. Its rich harmonic language and colorful orchestral textures are a testament to Dukas's genius in creating atmosphere. 

Henri Dutilleux – Tout un monde lointain…
Tout un monde lointain… is a cello concerto that I may never have the opportunity to perform, but I absolutely love listening to it—especially on road trips. Its dreamlike, atmospheric quality makes it an unforgettable musical journey. The concerto's title, which translates to "A whole distant world," perfectly captures its otherworldly nature, inspired by the poetry of Charles Baudelaire. It's a masterful blend of color, texture, and emotion, making it a true treasure in the cello repertoire.

Antonín Dvořák – Love Songs, Op. 83
In my opinion, Love Songs, Op. 83 is one of the greatest achievements in songwriting of the Romantic era. These pieces represent mature Dvořák at his finest. All the songs were selected and revised from an earlier work called Cypresses, a set of love songs Dvořák composed in 1865 as a young man, inspired by his unrequited love for Josefína Čermáková. In revising them later in life, Dvořák transformed the pieces into a cycle that reflects deeper emotional insight and more sophisticated musical craftsmanship. The result is a poignant and timeless collection of songs.

Gustav Mahler – Symphony No. 9
Mahler's Ninth Symphony is contemplative and full of acceptance, grappling with loss. It's not optimistic, but it's profoundly meaningful and cathartic. It was Mahler's final completed symphony and reflects his awareness of mortality, as he was battling severe health issues at the time. The symphony's four movements are rich in emotional depth, from the tender resignation of the first movement to the quiet farewell of the final Adagio. It's a deeply personal work, often seen as Mahler's farewell to life and the Romantic symphonic tradition.

Camille Saint-Saëns – Suite, Op. 16b
This Suite is a perfect blend of neo-Baroque elegance and Romantic expressiveness. The orchestral version, with its delightful Gavotte and spirited Tarantella, stands out as my personal favorite, though the original piano version is equally charming. Saint-Saëns has an incredible ability to craft music that feels both refined and accessible, and this Suite is no exception. In my view, you simply can't go wrong with Saint-Saëns—his music never fails to captivate.

Dmitri Shostakovich – Symphony No. 14
Shostakovich's Symphony No. 14 holds a special place in my heart as my favorite piece of all time. While Shostakovich's Symphony No. 4 once occupied that spot, the Fourteenth has an unmatched depth that continually draws me in. It's a profoundly dark and introspective work, grappling with themes of mortality and hopelessness in a way that paradoxically makes me appreciate life and what I have even more. The sparse orchestration—18 strings, percussion, and two vocalists—creates an intimate, haunting atmosphere. No matter my mood, I can always turn to this symphony and find something new to connect with, making it a constant source of inspiration and reflection.

Igor Stravinsky – Apollon Musagète
When autumn fades into winter, I often find myself drawn to Stravinsky's 1920s works. His neo-classical phase has a subtle, grey-toned quality—not bleak but introspective—that feels perfectly suited to the season. Apollon Musagète stands out as some of his finest writing in this style, combining elegance and restraint with timeless beauty. It's a masterful exploration of form and harmony that captures the essence of Stravinsky's neo-classical genius.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky – The Queen of Spades
The Queen of Spades is a massive opera with a peculiar storyline centered around an obsession with winning a card game. While the plot may seem unusual, the music is nothing short of extraordinary—rich, dramatic, and deeply moving. Imagine the brilliance of The Nutcracker but with even greater emotional depth and intensity. Tchaikovsky's genius shines throughout this masterpiece.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky – Iolanta
Tchaikovsky's Iolanta is a short but beautiful opera that tells the story of a blind princess, Iolanta, who has been kept in isolation by her father to protect her from the truth about her blindness. The opera moves quickly, almost like incidental music, as it focuses on Iolanta's journey of self-discovery and love. Though the plot is simple, the music is nothing short of gorgeous, with lush orchestration and poignant melodies that perfectly capture the emotional depth of the story. The opera is often overshadowed by Tchaikovsky's other works.

These pieces each hold a special place in my heart. They're more than just music; they're milestones in my journey as a cellist. Whether you're a musician or a listener, I hope you'll explore and enjoy these works as much as I do.