MARTINU, B.: Variations on a Slovak Folksong (Masterclass with Torleif Thedeen) (Aracama Alonso, Montalvan)
Variations on a Slovak Folksong, H. 378
Composer: Martinu, Bohuslav
Thedeen, Torleif
Montalvan, Ofelia
Aracama Alonso, Luis
Catalogue Number: RSS16128_1
Regarding the beginning of the piece, Thedeen 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. Thedeen 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.
