Teaching Cello - Repertoire for Late-Intermediate Cello Students
With shifting up through the higher positions and ample use of tenor clef, these pieces will help students prepare for advanced cello repertoire.
Sonatas for Late-Intermediate Students
Boismortier SonateDelightful music for style and technique!
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Picinetti SonataThis is a truly wonderful sonata to incorporate tenor clef, work on stylistic differences between movements and, in the case of the second movement, play fast!
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Two Sonatas by MarcelloTwo good baroque sonatas that are great for building shifting skills.
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Nine Sonatas by VivaldiWith three more sonatas included than the traditional six that International Music includes in their book, this is a veritable wealth of Vivaldi for baroque aficionados. Also useful for improving tenor clef-reading skills.
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Two Sonatas by RombergThese two sonatas in G major by Romberg are just terrific! With very occasional tiny bits of (optional) thumb position and technique-intensive music, these are wonderful preparation for advanced music and major concertos.
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Three 18th Century Cello SonatasI quite like the variations on "God Save the King" in this sonata compilation, which are quite interesting for students!
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Seven Cello SonatinasA great compilation of sonatinas ranging from early to late intermediate. Includes works (especially those by Mozart and Haydn) that can't be found elsewhere.
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Free Sonata Repertoire
Beethoven Sonatina Note: to download music from the RSL, set up an account here: https://passport.rsl.ru/register/form. Then, click the green down arrow (download button) at the top of the page of music and put your username (email) and password in. When the little box comes up, click the white button on the right (not the green button) and the file will download automatically.
Concertos and Concertinos for Late-Intermediate Students
Goltermann Concerto No. 4This concerto by Goltermann could be a staple. Musically challenging and somewhat romantic in style, this piece can help prepare intermediate students for advanced music. The Dowani version includes a play-along track with orchestral accompaniment! The first movement is not "difficult" as listed by International Music Co, but rather "intermediate".
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Klengel Concertino in C Major
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A standard concertino in late-intermediate cello repertoire, this is slightly reminiscent of the Haydn C Major cello concerto and can help students get ready for that level. More difficult than the Goltermann Concerto listed above, there is considerable shifting into 6th, 7th, and 8th positions.
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Haydn ConcertinoBeautiful and playable piece that challenges students musically; I really love this one!
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Goltermann Concerto No. 5A useful addition to student repertoire, however I prefer the Goltermann Concerto No. 4 to this (see above).
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C.P.E. Bach ConcertoNice opportunity to play complex music at a slightly-below-advanced level; useful in preparing for concerto level.
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Vivaldi Concerto Op. 3, No. 9The Vivaldi Concerto, Op.3, No. 9 is one of the most fantastic student pieces I have found! With lots of shifting and tenor clef, it is a great preparation for early-advanced repertoire, while also being energetic and inspiring to play. The last two lines of the last movement use thumb position, but could also be played with first and third fingers to avoid the thumb position, if necessary.
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Mozart ConcertinoShifting-intensive and somewhat hard to read, this could benefit from being enlarged, but is still a worthwhile addition to late-intermediate cello repertoire.
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Free Cello Concerto Repertoire
Nolck Concertino
Solo Cello Repertoire
The Bach Cello Suites: Check out our page on some different Bach editions
Degli Antonii 12 RicercateSome of these are between early-intermediate and late-intermediate. There is very occasional tenor clef.
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Short Pieces: Great for Recitals!
Squire TarantellaThe famous cello Tarantella, by Squire. This late-intermediate piece is fun and flamboyant.
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Squire BourreeThis is another great addition to the cello repertoire from Squire; light-hearted and entertaining!
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Squire Danse RustiqueDanse Rustique is slightly more challenging than the Bourree, thanks to the key signature, but is still liked by students.
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Monti CsardasNot terribly hard; this piece would be great for musical cellists still working on their technique.
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Saint-Saens The SwanThe famous Swan for cello and piano, by Faure.
Also check out our Swan Study Book for Cello, which takes every measure apart and teaches the technique behind the notes before putting it all together at the end. Sections of the book focus on reading tenor clef and playing with better tone. 
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A classic French edition
Some different bowing options
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Saint-Saens Allegro AppassionatoSaint-Saens' well-known "mini cello concerto" is a nice preparation for his Concerto in a minor, although the Concerto is quite a bit more difficult!
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Faure ElegieThe famous Elegie for cello and piano, by Faure. Although the first edition is widely used, the second, by Boston Music Company, is easier to read (spread across two pages instead of squashed onto one). Or check out the Faure Elegie Study Book, which takes every measure apart and teaches the technique behind the notes before putting it all together at the end.
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Solo Books as Supplements
These books use the intermediate positions to help the student work on technique and musical expression.
Solos for Young Cellists by Cheney |
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Melodies by Old Masters by Rapp |
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Cello and Piano Vol. 1 by Pejtsik |
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Cello and Piano Vol. 2 by Pejtsik |
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Solos for the Cello Player by DeriNice and varied compilation book that also can be purchased with a play-along CD (which I, alas, have not tried). Includes Saint-Saens "The Swan" and others.
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Cello and piano
Cello and piano and CD
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Cellists Favorite Contest Album by CollierA great repertoire book for cellists; almost a must-have.
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Free Late-Intermediate Cello Solos
The Modern Suite, by Goltermann is a new discovery. My students are really enjoying the Tarantelle (the last piece in the suite).