Popper - Six Gavottes and other works (Urtext Edition)

David Popper composed seven gavottes: six for cello and piano and one for two cellos. This collection brings together the six gavottes with piano accompaniment: Opp. 10, 23, 27, 67, 75, and 81. Also included are several companion works from the same opuses: Sarabande, Op. 10; Praeludium, Op. 27; Largo, Op. 67; and the Serenade and Venetian Barcarolle, Op. 75. Taken together, these works trace the evolution of Popper’s compositional style across his career, from Baroque-inspired character pieces to late Romantic salon works with hints of French, Italian, and early twentieth-century color.

The early Sarabande and Gavotte, Op. 10, are dedicated to Robert Emil Bockmühl and lean toward the world of J. S. Bach’s keyboard partitas and suites. Gavotte No. 2, Op. 23, one of Popper’s most popular works and a staple of the cello repertoire, is earthy and spirited, with natural harmonics, open-string double stops, and a theme that alludes to the so-called “Romanesca.” Praeludium and Gavotte No. 3, Op. 27, are dedicated to Popper’s brother Wilhelm; the Praeludium is a rare example of Popper writing for unaccompanied cello outside his etudes. The Largo and Gavotte No. 4, Op. 67, look back toward the grandeur of the French overture and the elegance of eighteenth-century dance forms. The later Op. 75 set includes the French-sounding Serenade, the refined and stately Gavotte No. 5, and the Italianate Venetian Barcarolle. The final work in the collection, Gavotte, Op. 81, was Popper’s last published opus and has a buoyant, theatrical character that almost suggests early twentieth-century operetta.

This edition is based on the first editions published by André, Hofmeister, Senff, Hamelle, and Ries & Erler, with source material graciously provided by the Czech Digital Library. The specific sources include André for Op. 10, Hofmeister for Opp. 23 and 67, Senff for Op. 27, Hamelle for Op. 75, and Ries & Erler for Op. 81. Any deviations from the sources are clearly indicated with editorial markings.

This collection is well suited for lessons, recitals, studio classes, and historical style study. The easier pieces offer approachable Romantic repertoire for developing students, while the more advanced works provide opportunities to refine dance character, articulation, tone color, lyricism, natural harmonics, double stops, and polished salon-style virtuosity.

ASTA level: 3–5