1754

Peter Winter

(baptized 28 August 1754 – 17 October 1825)

German composer, violinist, and conductor

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Peter Winterm 1815. Portrait by Heinrich Eduard Winter.

Here is his Concertino for Clarinet, Cello, and Orchestra in E-Flat Major, recorded by clarinettist Jost Michaels, cellist Irene Güdel, and the Kammerorchester des Saarländischen Rundfunks conducted by Karl Ristenpart:

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1852

Johannes Klingenberg

(28 August 1852 – 1905)

German cellist and music editor

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1867

Umberto Giordano

(28 August 1867 – 12 November 1948)

Italian composer

Here is a famous cello solo from his opera Andrea Chénier, and here is a cello and piano version of his “Amor ti Vieta” performed by cellist Georgina Sánchez Torres and pianist Krzysztof Stypulkowski:

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1890

Ivor Gurney

(28 August 1890 – 26 December 1937)

 English composer and poet

Ivor Gurney. Photo by an unknown photographer. Original publication: portrait photograph. Immediate source, Fair use.

Here is his Cello Sonata in e minor performed by cellist Richard Jenkinson and pianist Benjamin Frith:

1896

Leon Theremin

(28 August 1896 [O.S. 15 August] – 3 November 1993)

Russian and Soviet inventor and cellist

Known in musical circles as the inventor of the instrument named after him, the theremin, he was also responsible for creating listening devices used in espionage. Here is cellist Jonathan Golove performing Rachmaninoff’s “Vocalise,” and the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations” on a theremin cello, accompanied by pianist Magnus Martensson:

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.