BRAHMS, J.: Cello Sonata No. 1: I. Allegro non troppo (Masterclass with Torleif Thedeen) (Sukiasyan, Montalvan)
Cello Sonata No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 38
Composer: Brahms, Johannes
Thedeen, Torleif
Sukiasyan, Hayk
Montalvan, Ofelia
Catalogue Number: RSS16129_1
At the beginning of the class, Professor Thedeen asks the student about his impression of his performance and the way it would sound from the audience. The teacher comments that it is more important to think about the things we did correctly than the mistakes. As performers, it is very important to show some special moments in each performance, although it is a very difficult thing. Sometimes simplicity works better than other formulas.
Professor Thedeen gives some guidelines to the student for expressing the beginning of the piece and they comment how to do the arrival to the climax in the repeated note 'E'. When the piano takes the main theme, the cello could play a more interesting accompaniment, making a different kind of rhythm.
Fingerings should not disturb the rhythmical notation, it should be played in an easier way. The eighth-notes have to 'speak' more. The student should not forget giving more space to the most important notes of the phrasing. Professor Thedeen also comments that the 'B' note on 'E' string is one of the most difficult notes that a cellist could play. In some moments, it is required more understanding with the piano part. Finally, the Professor explains how to ration the dynamics in certain intense passages.
