1735

Johann Christian Bach

(5 September 1735 – 1 January 1782)

German composer, 18th child of Johann Sebastian Bach

–

Johann Christian Bach, painted in London by Thomas Gainsborough, (National Portrait Gallery, London).

Here is his Sinfonia concertante for violin, cello, and orchestra W.C34 in A Major, recorded by violinist Anna McDonald, cellist Sebastian Comberti, and The Hanover Band conducted by Anthony Halstead:

1791

Giacomo Meyerbeer

(5 September 1791 – 2 May 1864)

German opera composer

Here is the Grand Duo Concertant in E Major, B. 70, composed by Frédéric Chopin and Auguste Franchomme, based on Meyerbeer’s opera Robert le diable, performed by cellist Maurice Gendron and pianist Keiko Toyama:

1835

Jefte Sbolci

(5 September 1833 – 7 December 1895)

Italian cellist, conductor, and cello professor

1859

Amy Beach

(5 September 1867 – 27 December 1944)

American composer and pianist

Photo in U.S. Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs division.

Here is her Berceuse for Cello and Piano performed by cellist Cherylonda Fitzgerald and pianist Katherine Benson:

---

1898

Karel Pravoslav Sádlo

(5 September 1898 – 24 August 1971)

Czech cellist and teacher

---

1908

Joaquín Nin-Culmell

(5 September 1908 – 14 January 2004)

Cuban-Spanish composer and concert pianist

Portrait of Joaquín Nin-Culmell, 1924, by Paul Swan.

Here is the first movement of his Suite per a Violoncel Sol recorded by cellist Svetlana Tovstukha:

---

1912

John Cage

(5 September 1912 – 12 August 1992)

American composer, music theorist, artist, and philosopher

Photo by Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo – Fotocollectie Anefo. Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, nummertoegang 2.24.01.05, bestanddeelnummer 934-2728., CC0.

Here is an excerpt of cellist Charlotte Moorman performing his “26 Minutes, one point, 1,499 seconds for a string player”:

---

1920

Peter Racine Fricker

(5 September 1920 – 1 February 1990)

English composer who lived in the USA for the last 30 years of his life

Here is the “Very Fast” movement from his Sonata for Cello and Piano, recorded by cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and pianist John McCabe:

---

1948

Freddie Mercury

(5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991)

British singer, pianist, songwriter, record producer, and the lead vocalist of Queen

Photo by https://weheartit.com/entry/58777168 – FreddieMercurySinging21978.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Here is his “Love of My Life” performed by cellist Luka Šulić and Brian May of Queen:

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.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. Please see the footer for more information. We appreciate your support.