In spite of some most interesting contributions to cello repertoire in the last twenty five years such as the Lloyd Webber 'Variations', the Jazz Suite of Bolling or Piazzolla’s Le Grand Tango’ to name but three - I feel that, alas, the Cello has been quite slow at adapting to other musical fields. It was by playing Minsky’s pieces is concerts and giving them to my advanced students that the idea of this disc came about - solo modern popular pieces for cello where the instrument is pure, without amplification or electronic treatment and, what is more, absolutely without accompaniment - but yet new! I want to prove that the cello is more versatile than most people think; it has a future in other fields apart from the wonderful classical masterpieces.

The 'Ten American Cello Etudes’ of Minsky really are 'American' but I would prefer to let the composer speak for himself .... "the popularity of the cello is rising, yet its role and repertory remain limited. Despite attempts to use the cello is popular music, no one has yet attempted to bring popular musical currents into music for study by all cellists. These etudes are not intended as a replacement for the traditional ones. This music is intended to reinforce traditional technique and to expand it, through the recovery of old traditions. One of these traditions, common is Bach’s time, but nearly lost since then, is improvisation. Many of the ‘American Cello Etudes’ were born out of improvisation. Rooted is tradition, they speak of a new chapter is the life of the cello". In this present recording (the first in Europe), it should be noted that the order of the last three pieces have been 'inverted' to achieve a more vibrant concert finale effect to the set, and that other small changes include several passages being placed one octave higher, several extra double-stoppings and a few extra fast notes etc. for a personal virtuoso effect. However the overwhelming message of Aaron Minsky's vibrant music has been always retained and adhered to, and I feel that in the historical perspective these are works which are going to grow and grow in importance during the twenty-first century.

‘Swing, Low Sweet Chariot’ has appeared on a Joan Baez disc. and I transcribed it more-or-less as it was for a tour of Galicia (north-west Spain) is 1999 when I needed a spiritual piece, and ‘Yesterday’ of the Beatles I had previously arranged for string orchestra but somehow always felt that a solo cello version would be possible and so here it is.

‘Ensueño' is a piece written is 2002 for classical guitar and dedicated to David Johnstone. The writing is, in large part, cellistic resulting in 2003 in a cello adaptation. Classical style is mixed with references to the pop world which have always interested the composer.

The Pete Rose Suite ‘I’d rather be in Philadelphia’ is in fact a virtuoso work for recorder solo, and I have done almost nothing except put it down one octave, which makes it even harder on the cello

Of my pieces the American Cello Dance was developed from material of T. Osborne, the Fantasy on a Brazilian Theme and Pizzicato Blues greatly developed from themes of G. Schwertberger, and the Legato Blues I made as a teaser, starting quietly and almost classically, and then from half-way along developing into a modern, wild celebration at cello technique and authentic blues sound towards the end.

As we move inside the 21st century the ability to compose, transcribe, arrange, and minimally improvise will become increasingly more important. Otherwise computer and electronic sounds might sweep us away. Above all we should think creatively. I hope that this disc will be another step along this much-needed road.

David Johnstone (2003)

THANKS / GRACIAS:
To Txuma for his time, patience, and dedication to the whole process. To Javier Ecay and all at Zeta Audiovisuales and Mikel Urdiroz at Ilune for their willingness to help. Thanks to Caroline Collier and Hernando Deheza for their willingness so programme my music, Martin Zalba, Herminio Martin (Uvisal), Joan and Juanjo from 'B3 Classic’, Javier from 'Neofusion' , Juan Canal from Television ' Tele 5’ (plus Isabel and Sonia too) and to Ernesto Schmied from ‘Open Music' for their kindness and career support. Indeed thanks to all those who have supported and support my work. Above all thanks to Rosa, my wife, the lady with angel patience.

David Johnstone is considered on of the most creative and interesting cellists in the Iberian Peninsula today, combining a career as a concert cellist with composition.

Johnstone plays a cello by David Rubio 1993

Credits

Recorded: April 2003
Location: Studios of Zeta Audiovisuales, Pamplona, Spain
Recording, Edition and Mastering: Txuma Huarte
Artwork and Graphics: ILUNE