An analysis of Catalan cellist Gaspar Cassadó as performer, composer and transcriber

Gaspar Cassadó (1897-1966), who was born in Barcelona was one of the most important cellists with Catalan origin following Pau Casals, is not well recognized today. The main reason of this is that there are almost no written documents, interviews or studies about his beliefs and approaches towards music. A great part of his work was donated to Tamagawa University Education Museum by the heirs of his wife Cheiko Hara. Moreover, there are some letters and musical notes at Academia Chigiana library in Sienna, and his theory models at Biblioteca de Catalunya archive dedicated to G. Cassadó's father. The current study explores Gaspar Cassadó's career as a performer, a composer and an adapter, and lists his recordings, original compositions and adaptations. Later on, this research, the analysis of Cassadó's E major cello concerto which was adapted from Tchaikovsky op.72 Piano Pieces is included. The main reason for choosing his form of adaptation is due to Cassadó's predominant choice on adaptations. In this regard, nine pieces from Tchaikovsky op.72 Piano Pieces which are employed and adapted from the selected concerto are explained with the help of thematic analysis method. The aim of the current study is to compile information about Gaspar Cassadó's life, teaching methodology, his works and transcription methods and further help students perform his works easier both technically and musically. Keywords: Cassadó, Tchaikowsky, cello, transcription, cello concerto