Custom Arrangements

One favorite activity of mine when I get time (or a request) is to arrange music, especially if it ends up involving a cello. There's such a rich repertoire in the world, and when something is public domain but not in the right instrumentation for your group...we can just make it happen! The biggest project I've done in this sphere by far is a full re-orchestration of the first Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto.

It's designed to be conducted from the cello, and I had the privilege of getting to read it at New World, which was boatloads of fun. I arranged it under COVID constraints, a.k.a. the need for a much smaller ensemble, so that the orchestra could be spread out. Hopefully we never have a need for that kind of precaution in the future, but regardless, I was delighted with how it turned out. There's still plenty of orchestral richness there (though a great deal of the credit goes to my colleagues who played it so fabulously), just in a smaller setting.

In addition to my own passion projects, I take commissions for freelance arranging, transcription, editing, and engraving. I take pride in producing idiomatic parts and easy-to-read, well-laid-out sheet music. If you need someone to create a custom arrangement with care, please get in touch at themoderncellist (at) outlook (dot) com. It doesn't have to be for cello; while much of my work has been for groups like string quartets, I've also completed substantial commissions for brass quintet and a cappella chorus, so whatever you need, I bet I'll be excited to tackle the project.