Lesson 71 - New pieces from Bach Suite No. 1

2014 came as a whirlwind of unplanned activities that occupied all semblance of practise time on the cello. So it surprised me when the cello felt more like a familiar friend than the awkward uncle you haven't seen in awhile (that you really should make the effort of visiting) during lesson today.

Deryn started me on double stops exercises that we skipped much earlier on in Langin book 2 when they were far too advanced back then. There are similar exercises found in book 1 that I should be adding to my practise regime, mostly to consolidate the acrobatic finger flexibility.

We then spent a considerable amount of time learning key intervals from finger placements (major third is 4th finger lower string, 1st finger upper string, perfect fifths are always barred fingers).

We've had to postpone my duet sessions to much later than we previously thought so Deryn suggested I play new materials as I now had more time to practise. And what new materials indeed!

She's chosen two pieces from Bach Suite No.1 - Allemande and Gigue - as my first introduction to the suites itself and I am beyond excited to play these :)

We went through the Allemande quickly to sort out the fingering and bowing expected where the deceptively innocent looking notes transformed into the very familiar melodies of the suites that I never thought I'd be playing!

I asked Deryn if she had a preference for favourite interpretation of the suites and she let me borrow two wonderful recordings by Alexander Kniazev and Henrich Schiff respectively. I've had a listen since then and I must say I am growing very fond of their very different interpretations (from the popular ones) especially Kniazev's.




Edit: If anyone reading is looking for a student full size cello, Deryn has one! http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/109849474/44-stentor-student-i-cello.html