1863

Gabriel Pierné

(16 August 1863 – 17 July 1937)

French composer, conductor, pianist, and organist

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Gabriel Pierné. Painting by an unknown artist.

Here is his Cello Sonata (1922) played by cellist Alexis Descharmes and pianist Jean-Philippe Guillo:

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1867

Albrecht Löffler

(16 August 1867 – 29 April 1936)

German cellist

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1908

Orlando Cole

 (16 August 1908 – 25 January 2010)

American cellist and cello teacher

Orlando Cole. Photo by an unknown photographer.

He was friends with Samuel Barber and the dedicatee of Barber’s Sonata for Violoncello and Piano, Op. 6. Here is a performance of the Barber Sonata by Cole with pianist Vladimir Sokoloff. Cole gives a brief introduction, speaking about his connection with Barber and this piece:

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1917

Roque Cordero

(16 August 1917 – 27 December 2008)

Panamanian composer

Here is his Cello Sonata performed by cellist Isaac Casal and pianist Liudmila Georgievskaya:

  

1929

Bill Evans

(16 August 1929 – 15 September 1980)

American jazz pianist and composer

Bill Evans in 1961. Photographed by Steve Schapiro for Riverside Records.

Here is his “Waltz for Debby” performed by Cecilia Calvo (cello) and Esteban Juarez (Cantazul):

1948

Stephen Brown

Happy birthday!

 Canadian composer

Here is the first movement of “Fire,” his Solo Cello Suite No. 2 (of six suites), performed by cellist Rylan Gajek:

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.