Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009 (arr. for viola)

Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian

Poppen, Diemut

Leka, Hindenburg

Catalogue Number: RSS9750_1

Professor Diemut Poppen explains that the tempo in the student's performance is too fast. Unlike the Courante, the Allemande is not a "jumping dance', but gentler and more melodic. It also needs more bow and energy in general. Regarding melodic issues, the bass voice is the most important in the piece and it needs more bow. The interval leaps must be shorter in contrast with the whole phrase, which should be longer. The voices have to be dynamically connected. All the voices have to be clear in the fast passages. When playing and practising the phrasing, it is necessary to be aware of the harmonic movements.

The index finger is the connection from the arm to the string, so if the student raises the finger all the time she loses a lot of sound. She has to practice every note with the index finger and play scales in that way and then with all the fingers. Professor Poppen comments that it is very useful to play some studies detache. The student has to take into account that, although during the Baroque period the way of playing is lighter and softer, it is very important not to lose the contact point with the string.