MOZART, W. A.: String Quartet No. 23: I. Allegro moderato (Masterclass with Gunter Pichler) (Ardeo Quartet)
String Quartet No. 23 in F Major, K. 590, "Prussian No. 3"
Composer: Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Pichler, Gunter
Petitdemange, Carole
Hughes, Olivia
Donin, Caroline
Martinez, Joelle
Ardeo Quartet
Catalogue Number: RSS8931_1
Professor Gunter Pichler thinks that the students have to play with more contrasting dynamics and to study all the possibilities of expression. The character of the piece is like a dance and it should be sang as a human voice.
Other topics that professor Pichler comments are: articulation and quality of sound. Regarding the dynamics, he talks about the connection between forte and piano, the clarity of diminuendo and crescendo, different ways to play a pianissimo depending on the ensemble (orchestra, quartet, soloist, etc.) and the recommendation to avoid pianissimo dynamics in the solos.
About bow and expression, professor Pichler talks about vibrato, bowings, how to play a forte - without stopping the bow -, bow preparation in cello part and bow quantity required in several moments.
Finally, other topics are phrasing, tempo, tuning, articulation, tempo, and the student's attitude while playing.
