1857

Cécile Chaminade

(8 August 1857 – 13 April 1944)

French composer and pianist

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Here cellist Hugo Kreisler plays her “Serenade Espagnole” with his brother Fritz Kreisler on piano:

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1871

William Henry Squire

(8 August 1871 – 17 March 1963)

British cellist, composer, and music professor

Here is a 1930 recording of him playing the first two movements of the Elgar Cello Concerto in e minor, Op.85, with The Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Hamilton Harty:

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1886

Pietro Yon

(8 August 1886 – 22 November 1943)

Italian-born American organist and composer

Pietro Yon. Photo: St. Patrick’s Cathedral website.

Here is his famous Christmas piece “Gesù bambino” arranged for three cellos and played by Evan Kahn:

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1905

André Jolivet

(8 August 1905 – 20 December 1974)

French composer, conductor, and (early in life) cellist

Here is a 1967 video of Jolivet conducting a performance of his Cello Concerto No. 2 in Moscow with Rostropovich as the soloist:

  

1924

Christopher Bunting

(8 August 1924 – 28 July 2005)

English cellist and teacher

Christopher Bunting. Photo by unknown photographer – Original publication: unknown, though appears on an album cover. Immediate source: CD Universe, Fair use. 

Here is a recording of him performing the Bach Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012: IV. Sarabande:

1979

Richard Harwood

Happy birthday!

 British cellist

Cellist Richard Harwood. Picture: Martin Apps

Here he performs Rachmaninov’s “Vocalise” with pianist James Pearson:

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.