BRITTEN, Benjamin

Sonata for cello and piano in C major op. 65

I. Dialogo. Allegro

Frans Helmerson, guest professor

Ferran Bardolet, student

Miguel Ángel Ortega Chavaldas, accompanying pianist

Professor Helmerson talks about form: all the sections should be clear in the performance. In this piece, it is necessary to create an atmosphere in which the sound is in the air. Regarding bow use, he comments that the bow is sometimes like a brush, giving more air to the string. To make shiftings easier, it is better if we anticipate the left hand.
In general, when the student faces a problem, he should take technical decisions, everything must be clear beforehand.
Finally, Helmerson advices the student to work on shiftings and vibrato with 4th finger (without raising the rest of the fingers too much from the fingerboard) and focus on rhythm and control of the sound.

Language: English