Guided By Voices: New Music for Baroque Cello

Two Baroque instruments are used in this project, the four-string and five-string cello, each with a sound and character which strongly contrast with the modern cello – and which have inspired some of today’s outstanding composers to explore their unique qualities. Begun in 2014 with a work for the five-string Baroque cello by Scott Edward Godin, the program also features Canadian composers Linda Catlin Smith, Isaiah Ceccarelli, and Maxime McKinley. Works by the Japanese-American composer Ken Ueno and Swedish-German composer Lisa Streich complete the program. 

When composers write a new piece for “Baroque” cello it becomes an instrument of today, not only past eras, helping to expand the sound worlds of both the cello and new music audiences. Each work reveals the cello’s incredible versatility and remarkable colours.