Catalogue

Summary:

The musical meeting of minds of Swiss cellist Christoph Croisé and Canadian composer Christopher Tyler Nickel has resulted in a magical interpretation of the composer’s first cello concerto, and new works inspired by the cellist’s outstanding artistry.

When Christoph Met Christopher

A magical, musical meeting of minds occurred when Swiss cellist Christoph Croisé 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. Christoph’s passion for new music aligned with his admiration for Christopher’s modern yet clear aesthetic.

The composer elaborates, “One of the joys of working with Christoph was that he understood the emotions [of the concerto] right from the start. He’s such an intuitive player and I knew immediately that he understood what I was after. What more could a composer ask for?”

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 Christoph’s 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 composer’s Requiem. The two miniatures Echoes of Tranquility were inspired by a suggestion from Christoph to compose accessible modern music for today’s listening lifestyle. Without any artistic compromise, Christopher delivered what Christoph calls “beautiful little masterpieces”.

Tracklist:

CHRISTOPHER TYLER NICKEL (b. 1978)

Concerto for Cello No. 1** (2023)
1. I. Andante inquieto​ 12:18
2. II. Presto​ 4:31
3. III. Cantabile con rubato​ 9:38
4. IV: Allegro con fuoco​ 8:58

Reflections on Requiem* (2025)
5. I. Andante​ 3:58
6. II. Andante misterioso ​4:29
7. III. Reflectively ​4:17
8. IV. Andante misterioso ​6:18
9. V. Andante​ 3:27
10. VI. Reflectively​ 4:14
11. VII. Solemn​ 6:15

12. Echo of Tranquility I * (2025) ​3:17​​​​
13. Echo of Tranquility II * (2025) ​4:48

Christoph Croisé, solo cello
Oxana Shevchenko, piano *
Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra **
Clyde Mitchell, conductor **

Concerto for Cello recorded at CBC Studio One, Vancouver, Canada, July 30 & 31, 2025
Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Vince Renaud at VR Sound (www.vincerenaud.com)
Score Reader: Bruce Carabine
Contractor: Hal Beckett (www.vancouverfilmorchestra.com)
Reflections on Requiem and Echo of Tranquility I & II recorded at Alte Kirche Boswil, Switzerland, December 23, 2025
Recorded, edited, mixed and mastered by Shintaro Sugiura (www.shintaro-s.de)
Album Produced by: Christopher Tyler Nickel

℗ & © 2026 Christopher Tyler Nickel Inc. under exclusive licenve to Avie Records