Klengel Cello Concertino No. 1 in C Major, Op. 7 for Cello and Piano

Klengel's Cello Concertino No. 1 in C major, Op. 7 is a substantial pedagogical work by one of the great cello teachers of the late nineteenth century: a seventeen-minute concertino at Grade 8 that puts music-making first while systematically developing the left and right-hand technique a cellist needs before moving on to the major Romantic concertos. This edition presents the work in a freshly prepared score and cello part.

Julius Klengel taught at the Leipzig Conservatory for decades and trained some of the most distinguished cellists of the early twentieth century. His pedagogical writing reflects that expertise: the technical demands here are carefully chosen and sequenced, covering the left-hand work a Grade 8 student needs to consolidate, including extended positions, more complex shifts, and demanding passage work, alongside a thorough exploration of bow technique from sustained legato singing to more articulated and brilliant strokes. Like the Bréval at Grade 7, what makes this piece effective is that none of it feels like technique for its own sake. The melodies are elegant and genuinely musical, and the student is always working on expression and shaping alongside the technical demands. At seventeen minutes it is a more substantial undertaking than the Bréval, and completing it well represents a meaningful step forward in a cellist's development.

The piano part provides a clear, supportive accompaniment throughout the three movements, giving the cellist a musical context to play within rather than simply a harmonic backdrop.

At Grade 8 and seventeen minutes, this concertino has the weight to serve as the main work in a student recital or examination programme. A student who can perform it convincingly has the musical and technical foundation to approach the Haydn, Saint-Saëns, and Schumann concertos with genuine confidence.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and part 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 + Piano
• Editor: Paul Wood
• Difficulty: ABRSM Grade 8 (solo)
• Duration: approximately 17 minutes
• Technical focus: advanced position work, bow stroke variety, sustained musicality across three movements
• Format: PDF download, full score and cello part

Who it's for

This is a strong choice for Grade 8 cellists preparing for examinations or recitals, and for teachers looking for a substantial, musically rewarding work that bridges the gap between student concertos and the major Romantic repertoire. It works well as the centrepiece of a student recital, and as a focused study for any cellist consolidating their technique at this level before moving on to the larger concerto repertoire.