the poco forte here means just a little bit forte - the sound should be dark and warm and the phrases very clear. I got told off by a conductor in a recent audition for playing this too loud!
in an audition sometimes you have to do a different bowing to get the 'section sound' since it is solo. Try experimenting with a down bow in the beginning. YES! you must sleep with the metronome but as you could also hear you have overdone the beat a little. Have you tried slurring an entire measure to give the left hand fluidity? Then practice the right hand w/ open strings. Playing with the recording will help with style and overall feel then in the audition you can keep the tempo.
How many different recording of this do you listen to? Have you played along with them? You don't sound like you are hearing the rest of the orchestra or the section. The committee can hear what you are hearing and what you are not hearing!
I listen to this movement almost everyday. As a violinist I am quite jealous of the cello opening. As always you have an amazing sound but I think you want some helpful comments:
Believe it or not I think you need more sound and also more contrast in your dynamics around 0:48-1:09. There aren't enough swells. You sound like a metronome which in one sense is good but i feel like you are counting the beats with the left hand. Can you mask more of the shifts also.
I got the bowing and fingerings from a video of the Berlin Philharmonic. I'm actually trying to play more metronomic, since that's the main criticism I get on my excerpts. I hate playing in strict tempo, but it wins auditions vs. expressive playing from what I've heard. I agree with you though that I can play in tempo without marking the beat so much. I need to try playing with the recordings, too. The problem is that most recordings don't keep tempo. . .
Well if you are going to agree with me on everything else then I won't fight for that one point BUT I think starting with a down bow will help give it that dark/warm sound from the opening that you talk about
Yeah, I've come around finally and I'm starting with the down bow. However I'm gonna go with Charles on the volume. But that means I can do bigger swells.
I am horrible at vibrato. This video makes me jealous. Good job.
xDaniface 3 years ago
the poco forte here means just a little bit forte - the sound should be dark and warm and the phrases very clear. I got told off by a conductor in a recent audition for playing this too loud!
charlesbrooks 3 years ago
I like your other Brahms Vid better. I'll just leave it at that.
LT4719 3 years ago
in an audition sometimes you have to do a different bowing to get the 'section sound' since it is solo. Try experimenting with a down bow in the beginning. YES! you must sleep with the metronome but as you could also hear you have overdone the beat a little. Have you tried slurring an entire measure to give the left hand fluidity? Then practice the right hand w/ open strings. Playing with the recording will help with style and overall feel then in the audition you can keep the tempo.
Augustusdavid 3 years ago
Good advice--I'm playing along with the recording and it helps.
cellohonkey 3 years ago
How many different recording of this do you listen to? Have you played along with them? You don't sound like you are hearing the rest of the orchestra or the section. The committee can hear what you are hearing and what you are not hearing!
Augustusdavid 3 years ago
I listen to this movement almost everyday. As a violinist I am quite jealous of the cello opening. As always you have an amazing sound but I think you want some helpful comments:
Believe it or not I think you need more sound and also more contrast in your dynamics around 0:48-1:09. There aren't enough swells. You sound like a metronome which in one sense is good but i feel like you are counting the beats with the left hand. Can you mask more of the shifts also.
Why do you start up bow?
Augustusdavid 3 years ago
I got the bowing and fingerings from a video of the Berlin Philharmonic. I'm actually trying to play more metronomic, since that's the main criticism I get on my excerpts. I hate playing in strict tempo, but it wins auditions vs. expressive playing from what I've heard. I agree with you though that I can play in tempo without marking the beat so much. I need to try playing with the recordings, too. The problem is that most recordings don't keep tempo. . .
cellohonkey 3 years ago
I agree with everything you say here except for the "more sound" bit. More contrast but less volume IMO (poco forte)
charlesbrooks 3 years ago
Well if you are going to agree with me on everything else then I won't fight for that one point BUT I think starting with a down bow will help give it that dark/warm sound from the opening that you talk about
Augustusdavid 3 years ago
Yeah, I've come around finally and I'm starting with the down bow. However I'm gonna go with Charles on the volume. But that means I can do bigger swells.
cellohonkey 3 years ago
I will also have to defer to Charles on the volume...and yes you will be able to do bigger swells
Augustusdavid 3 years ago