Chant du Ménestrel (Minstrel's song) is a work for cello and orchestra written by Alexander Glazunov in 1900, and published as Op. 71. A popular concert piece at the turn of the century, it lasts no more than five minutes, yet it manages to be deeply emotional, fitting with the style of the moment and appealing to the more singing register of the cello (thus creating a connection with the minstrel figure). The orchestration on this work is particularly subtle, helping to bring out the sound of the cello. The original work calls for solo cello, picollo, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, and strings. The piano version is highly popular too.
