1864
Caesar Schwormstädt
(14 October 1864 – ?)
German cellist
–
1871
Alexander von Zemlinsky
(14 October 1871 – 15 March 1942)
Austrian composer, conductor, and teacher
Here is his Cello Sonata (1894) performed by cellist Anssi Karttunen and pianist Nicolas Hodges:
1888
Katherine Mansfield
(14 October 1888 – 9 January 1923)
Writer and cellist from New Zealand, later settled in England
1898
Maurice Martenot
(14 October 1898 – 8 October 1980)
French cellist, a radio telegrapher during WWI, and inventor
He is best known for inventing the musical instrument called the ondes Martenot.
1935
La Monte Young
Happy birthday!
American composer and saxophonist
He wrote a piece called “Just Charles & Cello in the Romantic Chord” which was performed by cellist Charles Curtis.
1952
Kaija Saariaho
Happy birthday!
Finnish composer
Kaija Saariaho. Photo by Priska Ketterer
Here is her “Sept Papillons for Solo Cello” (2000) recorded by cellist Dirk Wietheger.
1967
Derek Bermel
Happy birthday!
American composer, clarinetist, and conductor
Here he and cellist Jay Campbell perform his “Coming Together”:
1971
Anne Gastinel
Happy birthday
French cellist and professor
Photo by Pymouss, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Here she performs Schubert’s “Arpeggione,” Sonatina, and Lieder transcriptions with pianist Claire Désert:
Your Turn
Know of other cellists, cello makers, composers of music played by cellists, or those with a strong tie to the cello world born on this day? This is a work in progress. We’d love to hear from you if you have suggestions, additions, or corrections. Thank you!
We include those with recordings and/or images available online.
