Nickel: Concerto For Cello, Reflections On Requiems – Christoph Croisé

A magical, musical meeting of minds occurred when Swiss cellist Christoph Crois and Canadian composer Christopher Tyler Nickel first connected. Christopher already had a cello concerto in the works, and in Christoph he found the perfect partner to interpret his composition. Christophs passion for new music aligned with his admiration for Christophers modern yet clear aesthetic. Christopher is no stranger to the concerto genre, having penned many for winds and brass. But this is his first for a stringed instrument, a challenge he relished and enjoyed with Christophs input as he explored the variety of colours, timbres and harmonic possibilities of the instrument. Their collaboration led Christopher to compose two new works for Christoph, for cello and piano. The intimate, seven-movement Reflections on Requiem draws on melodic themes from the composers Requiem. The two miniatures Echoes of Tranquility were inspired by a suggestion from Christoph to compose accessible modern music for todays listening lifestyle. Without any artistic compromise, Christopher delivered what Christoph calls beautiful little masterpieces.