While preparing his Violoncello Concerto for the publisher Breitkopf & Härtel, Robert Schumann had the idea of arranging the concerto for solo cello and string quartet, in the tradition of arrangements of piano concertos for solo instrument and quartet. He hoped that this would make the work more widely available, especially for private performances. However, Breitkopf & Härtel rejected Schumann’s suggestion.

Now editor Kate Bennett Wadsworth has made a transcription which is presented in this performing edition. The solo cello part is identical to the corresponding part of the Urtext edition of the concerto (BA08839) on which the quartet parts are also based. They have been meticulously arranged and are in keeping with the style of the work.