Stephen Watson: Cello Concerto

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Completed in 1999, the Cello Concerto was first performed in a BASF concert on 21 June 2000 in the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, by the same artists who have made this premier recording. The Concerto embodies a traditional as well as a personal approach to concerto form: traditional, in the sense of virtuoso writing for the solo instrument, yet personal since there is no contest between the soloist and the orchestra – both elements are often integrated and each is of equal prominence.

In the middle Adagio, however, the solo cello is the prime mover, and this is reflected in the scoring and atmosphere of the movement.Stephen Watson was born in Chester in 1955, and began his musical training at 13 years old with violin lessons.

Later, lessons in composition were coupled with considerable experience as an orchestral violinist as well as singing with and conducting choral societies in the north of England. It is not surprising, therefore, that his compositions reflect his passion for large-scale choral and orchestral sounds, though he has recently turned his interest towards the string orchestra.

Stephen Watson has been appointed Composer-in-Association with the Chester Philharmonic Orchestra for the 2002/03 season.