Max Bruch's "Adagio on Celtic Melodies" is part of a collection of concertante pieces for cello and orchestra. While cellists have fewer concertos compared to their violinist counterparts, Bruch's cello compositions are celebrated. The Adagio's sketches date back to 1890 when Bruch was recovering from his Breslau conductor post. Originally titled "Andante on Nordic Folk Tunes," it features Scottish and Irish melodies, eventually adopting the title "Celtic" due to its distinctive sound. Jacques Rensburg, a cellist, may have been the work's dedicatee. Simrock published it as Op. 56 in 1891, also releasing a version for violin and piano.

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