Gaspar Cassad

Barcelonian Gaspar Cassad (1897-1966) was one of the greatest cello virtuosi of the twentieth century and a notable composer and arranger, leaving a vast and heterogeneous legacy. In this book, Gabrielle Kaufman provides the first full-length scholarly work dedicated to Cassad, containing the results of seven years of research into his life and legacy, after following the cellists steps through Spain, France, Italy and Japan. The study presents in-depth descriptions of the three main parts of Cassads creative output: composition, transcription and performance, especially focusing on Cassads plural and multi-facetted creativity, which is examined from both cultural and historical perspectives. Cassads role within the evolution of twentieth-century cello performance is thoroughly examined, including a discussion regarding the musical and technical aspects of performing Cassads works, aimed directly at performers. The study presents the first attempt at a comprehensive catalogue of Cassads works, both original and transcribed, as well as his recordings, using a number of new archival sources and testimonies. In addition, the composers significance within Spanish twentieth-century music is treated in detail through a number of case studies, sustained by examples from recovered score manuscripts. Illuminated by extraordinary source material Gaspar Cassad: Cellist, Composer and Transcriber expands and deepens our knowledge of this complex figure, and will be of crucial importance to students and scholars in the fields of Performance Practice and Spanish Music, as well as to professional cellists and advanced cello students.