MARTINU, Bohuslav

Variations on a Slovak folksong for cello and piano H 378

Torleif Thedéen, guest professor

Luis Aracama Alonso, student

Ofelia Montalván, accompanying pianist

Regarding the beginning of the piece, Thedéen suggests the student to avoid putting the best of him from the beginning as the climax is about to arrive. Moreover, it is interesting to feel in advance what it is going to come. He also recommends having the finger more active to control better the bow. Prof. Thedéen also talks about how to calibrate dynamics and to go on phrasing after the thematical development. It is possible to maintain long sounds with vibrato.
He comments also that when we have to move the left hand to jump to another note, it is necessary to make sure that the contact point is near the bridge. Besides, the repeated notes should be played with more variety using the bow. The professor also suggests not to do a glissado so exaggerated.
Finally, he comments that a passage can be rhythmical without giving up the expression.

Language: English