An Analysis on Luis Humberto Salgado's Works for Cello and Piano

Abstract

Luis Humberto Salgado was an Ecuadorian pianist and composer who wrote in a variety of instrumental settings, including two works for cello and piano. Although he composed the Caprice and Sonata for Cello and Piano over sixty years ago, these works have only just begun to take their place of prominence in the cello literature due to recent performances and the distribution of engraved editions. Research on Salgado’s life and some of his music is available; nevertheless, no documents have been released on his Caprice, and limited information can be found on the Sonata. This document analyzes several aspects of these works from a performer’s perspective. The research includes information on the composer’s life, music, and style; a harmonic and formal overview on both the Caprice and Sonata; a review of their difficulty level, considering some complicated components; and recommendations on overcoming said difficulties. The analytical findings regarding Salgado’s compositions for cello and piano reveal the use of 20th century techniques as a stylistic basis for both compositions. The difficulty of the pieces requires proficiency in the instrument and musical maturity. Cello instructors and performers can consider these works a part of the repertoire, as they explore many challenges that instrumentalists typically encounter in the learning process. The aim of this document is to enrich and encourage the study and performance of these works.