175 bars for 175 years
An anniversary composition in a moderately modern tonal language for violoncello solo.
Michael Töpel, born in 1958, studied composition, piano, music theory and musicology in his native city of Bremen and in Lübeck. He has received several prizes for composition. In addition to his own works, he has also written piano reductions and edited works, including first editions by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johannes Brahms, Hugo Distler and Jean Barraqué.
The present work, created in the Swiss mountains Capriccio for violoncello solo was a contribution to the anniversary concert on September 22, 2012 for the 175th anniversary of the Merseburg publishing house. It consists of exactly 175 bars and is composed in a moderately modern tonal language. The music is humorous, with a burlesque, dance-like rhythm. The composition is appropriate for the instruments, effective and shows a dynamic rich in contrast. The technical difficulties are easy to master.
The Capriccio is suitable for concert use and can also be a welcome introduction to newer music for advanced young cellists.
Michael Töpel: Capriccio, for violoncello solo, EM 2175, € 8.00, Merseburger Verlag, Kassel 2012
