REGER, Max

Suite for viola in G minor op. 131d no. 1

II. Vivace - Andantino - Vivace

Gérard Caussé, guest professor

Hugo Sergio Hidalgo Herrera, student

Antonia Valente, accompanying pianist

The student plays the second movement of Reger's First Suite for Solo Viola. Caussé congratulates him and says he really enjoyed the performance, noting that the student makes the music sound interesting - and in that regard, there is nothing he needs to teach him.
In the Andantino in particular, he suggests creating a greater contrast between the mezzopiano and pianissimo sections, and starting the vibrato slightly earlier on those notes. He also corrects the ending of one phrase and the beginning of the next, so the interpretation better aligns with what the music is trying to express.
The Vivace tempo depends on how the fourth movement (Molto vivace) will be played. In this case, he recommends a slightly faster tempo, as long as it still feels physically comfortable. After the student plays it again, Caussé advises against over-accentuating certain notes in the theme, suggesting instead to follow the rhythm of a waltz. He also makes a few small corrections regarding clarity and precision in some of the more challenging leaps, and reminds the student not to play more softly just because a passage is technically difficult.

Languange: English