BACH, Johann Sebastian

Suite for cello solo no. 1 in G major BWV 1007 (transcription for viola)

VI. Gigue

Diemut Poppen, professor

Miguel Ercolino Lozada, student

Firstly, Poppen gives a general indication to the student: he must not move the viola while playing. Besides, the tempo should be faster for this movement.
Then she makes other comments about the difference between playing in a major or minor tonality, bow direction and bow speed. She cannot listen properly the bass, so she suggests to play it louder. The student also should have fun with the small slurs.
For Poppen, the character for this Gigue is very joyful so she recommends the student to enjoy more. After some indication on phrasing, accents and shifts, Poppen gives the student some pieces of advice on the bow: he must be careful so he does not touch the string with the bow wood and the bow hair must be sufficiently tense. Then they practise it up bow and finally the student plays again the whole movement (without repetitions) and the professor makes him some recommendations on dynamic at the end of the piece and fingering to improve the tuning. She also suggests briefly some exercises to improve the strength in the fourth finger.

Language: English