SCHUBERT, Franz

Sonata for arpeggione and piano en A minor D 821 'Arpeggione' (version for double bass and piano)

I. Allegro moderato

Franco Petracchi, guest professor

Enrique Rigau Baulida, student

Jesús Gómez Madrigal, accompanying pianist

At the beginning, Professor Petracchi speaks about the character of the piece: sad but serene. They also discuss the most suitable bowings for the opening of the Sonata.
After the student plays the beginning, the maestro reminds him of the meaning of the Schubertian diminuendo: it implies un peu cédez; only when “decrescendo” is written does it refer strictly to dynamics (a decrease in volume). He continues speaking about sound quality, emphasizing that it should have nothing of a Russian balalaika character, but rather a refined and polished tone.
He then stresses the importance of playing from memory to truly internalize the music, and as the student continues playing, the professor gives detailed comments mainly about accents and dynamics. Later, he advises shaping longer phrases and warns not to confuse diminuendo with rallentando. Petracchi also provides guidance on bowings, fingerings, and bow direction for an anacrustic passage, based on the original version of the work.
As the student performs the second section of the movement, the professor remarks that it is essential to be a musician first, and a double bassist second. On a long note, Petracchi suggests playing it with a single bow stroke instead of two, keeping the same sound quality. He also reflects on how the agogic and articulation markings at the end should be interpreted, since they are often a topic of debate.
The professor continues giving detailed advice regarding clarity of execution in certain passages, bow distribution and direction (the bowings must be better organized), as well as more musically appropriate fingerings and position changes. To conclude, he suggests enriching a long note with a gradual shift from forte to pianissimo while maintaining vibrato, to make it more expressive and interesting.

Language: Italian - Spanish