SCHUBERT, Franz
Sonata for Arpeggione and Piano in 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, accompanist pianist
At the beginning, Professor Petracchi speaks about the character of the work: sad but serene. They also discuss the most suitable bowing choice for the opening of the Sonata.
After the student plays the opening, the teacher reminds him what the Schubertian diminuendo is: it means “un peu cédez”; only when he writes decrescendo is he referring to dynamics (a decrease in volume). He continues speaking about sound quality: it should have nothing of a Russian balalaika; it requires a very polished sound. He then speaks about the importance of playing from memory in order to internalise the music, and afterwards the professor gives guidance mainly on accents and dynamics as the student plays. Later, a longer phrasing is required, and the diminuendo must not be confused with the rallentando. Petracchi also provides various indications on bowings and fingerings, and on bow direction for an anacrusis passage, based on the original version of the work.
The student plays the second part of the movement, and the professor comments that, when playing, it is important to be a musician first and a double bassist second. On a certain long note, Petracchi suggests playing it in a single bow rather than in two, without changing the sound. He also reflects on how the agogic and articulation indications at the end should be interpreted, as they are a matter of debate.
The professor gives further guidance regarding clarity of execution in certain passages, bow distribution and direction for specific moments (the bowings need to be better organised), or fingerings and position changes that are more appropriate to the music. In conclusion, he suggests enriching a very long note with a change from forte to pianissimo, maintaining the vibrato in order to make it more engaging.
Language: Italian – Spanish
