Documentation, including historical publication data, is available on the Cello Concerto No. 2 (Kabalevsky) page on IMSLP.
The opening immediately signals the work's character. Unlike the dark, brooding openings of many 20th-century concertos, Kabalevsky begins with a rhythmic pulse that feels almost like a brisk walk. The cello enters not with a tragic recitative, but with a sweeping, lyrical melody. On the score (readily viewable on IMSLP), one notices the clean orchestration—Kabalevsky does not drown the soloist. The texture is light, allowing the cello’s tenor register to sing without forcing. imslp kabalevsky cello concerto
By downloading this score from IMSLP, you are joining a lineage of cellists—from Shafran to Ma—who recognized that a great concerto doesn't need to be famous to be great. It simply needs to make the cello sing, weep, and dance. Unlike the dark, brooding openings of many 20th-century
These recordings showcase the concerto's technical and musical challenges, as well as its expressive and lyrical qualities. The texture is light, allowing the cello’s tenor
The work is cast in three movements, but plays with the traditional forms in subtle ways:
So, open your browser. Go to IMSLP. Search for . Print the part. Sit down with your instrument. And discover one of the 20th century's most unfairly neglected masterpieces.