Goltermann Adagio & Tarantella Op 35 No 4 for Solo Cello & String Orchestra

Goltermann's Adagio and Tarantella, Op. 35 No. 4 puts two very different demands on the soloist side by side: a slow opening movement that calls for genuine singing tone and sustained phrasing, followed by a fast Italian dance that needs nimble fingers and a light, even bow. This arrangement takes the original cello and piano version and sets it for solo cello and string orchestra, keeping Goltermann's solo line exactly as written.

At ABRSM Grade 7–8, the two movements test different skills and neither is easy to prepare well. The Adagio is fundamentally about tone production and musical shaping. Long phrases need to be held at a consistent, warm level, and the bow speed and contact point are exposed in a way that slow movements always are. The Tarantella changes the picture entirely: the challenge is left-hand evenness through the fast passages, controlled position changes, and a right hand that stays light and rhythmically precise under tempo. The orchestra supports both characters without crowding the soloist, with cleaner textures in the Adagio and more rhythmic drive in the Tarantella.

At around five minutes, it works well as a featured solo in a school or youth orchestra concert, substantial enough to make an impression without dominating the programme.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Solo Cello + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 7–8 (solo)
• Duration: approximately 5 minutes
• Style focus: sustained singing tone (Adagio), left-hand evenness and light bowing (Tarantella)
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits advanced student cellists at late secondary or early conservatoire level who need a well-structured showpiece with real musical demands in both movements. It works well in school and youth orchestra concerts where a cello feature is needed, and in community and amateur orchestra programmes looking for a practical solo vehicle that does not require a large ensemble.