Christoph Poppen: Strauss – Violin Sonata TrV 151 op 18 – II. Andante cantabile

STRAUSS, Richard

Sonata for violin and piano in E-flat major TrV 151 op. 18

II. Andante cantabile

Christoph Poppen, guest professor

Patricia Cordero Beltrán, student

Ricardo Alí Álvarez, accompanying pianist

In this class on Strauss’s Sonata for Violin and Piano, Op. 18, we must try to give more unity instead of creating a lot of isolated beautiful moments. Professor Poppen also talks about the balance of the rubato. The posture of the body has to be more stable in order to have more energy to play. Somehow, the right hand has to shape the way of taking the bow, like a sculpture.
The beginning can be more sonorous, it is the moment of the presentation of the sounds, that is why they cannot become timid yet. Poppen also points out that the ritardandos have to be the result of a personal decision, knowing in advance how much we want to delay. In the poco animato, the tempo should not be pushed so much. Finally, they discuss the moments in which one tempo or another is appropriate and how to introduce diminuendo without delaying.

Language: English