Lee - Gavotte B Minor Op 112 for Cello and Piano

Sebastian Lee (1805-1887) was a successful cellist and educator who worked in Paris and Hamburg, among other places. His instructional works, including tudes and duets, are still used in teaching today. In addition, Lee composed numerous concert pieces for cello and piano. The Gavotte, Op. 112, is a striking and multifaceted stylized dance that presents advanced students with demanding challenges.

These challenges are tailored to the instrument and its technical possibilities: for example, the rapid sixteenth-note passages fit comfortably under the fingers while still creating a virtuosic effect. To tackle this composition, students must be proficient in playing up to the sixth position, have experience with thumb position and harmonics, be skilled in double stops and ornamentation, and possess good dexterity in the left hand.

Musically, the Gavotte offers opportunities to express varied characters: light, airy motifs, broad, energetic chords, and fast, virtuosic passages all need to be shaped. The piano part is simply written and serves primarily as a supportive accompaniment.

This edition is part of the Schott Student Edition series, which offers a diverse repertoire for lessons, concerts, and exams across various difficulty levels (from easy to advanced). Popular standard works from music history are published in a modern and clear layout. For many pieces, the piano accompaniment is available for download.