SCHUBERT, Franz

Sonata for arpeggione and piano in A minor D 821 'Arpeggione' (version for viola and piano)

I. Allegro moderato

Gérard Caussé, guest professor

Mario Carpintero, student

Antonia Valente, accompanying pianist

After the student's complete performance of the first movement of the Arpeggione Sonata, Caussé comments on a fingering choice at the end that doesn’t quite convince him—though he admits some uncertainty, as the piece wasn’t originally written for viola and it's particularly difficult to determine the best solution. Nevertheless, he suggests what feels most natural to him.
He reviews specific points in the score with the student, mainly related to articulations, fingerings, dynamics, and coordination with the piano. Caussé continues to express doubts about the most suitable interpretive options, acknowledging that while it’s a very good piece, it wasn’t intended for the viola. For that reason, he avoids prescribing a definitive interpretation. Instead, he encourages the student to make his own decisions and to discuss those choices with others who also play the work—or with him. Caussé then asks questions about certain decisions involving articulation and phrasing, tempo (emphasizing it should be Allegro, though moderate—not Andante), and meter (recommending it be felt in 2 rather than in 4).

Language: English