SHOSTAKOVICH, Dmitry
Sonata for cello and piano in D minor, Op. 40
I. Allegro non troppo
Pablo Ferrández, guest professor
Luis Aracama, student
Ofelia Montalván, accompanying pianist
Ferrández notes a lack of active listening and attention to what the student is playing. The notes sound empty; the student must respond more to the music so that it sounds more alive, paying closer attention to the ending of each note and the connection between them, and staying alert to avoid any unwanted sounds.
They work on issues related to musical direction, phrasing and the relationship between notes; expressiveness, which needs to be more exaggerated and intense, with more energy; sound quality; etc. To produce a good sound, it is important to know one’s own instrument, but also one’s own body, and at the same time to be fully emotionally involved. The two aspects combine: awareness and control of a relaxed body together with the emotional tension that the music expresses. They also review listening and responding to what the piano is playing to achieve greater musical cohesion. One must be the master of every note one plays.
Finally, they review the ending with the mute, and Ferrández offers suggestions on the bow’s contact with the string to achieve better balance and obtain a more controlled, higher-quality piano sound.
Language: Spanish
