Choosing a Piece

November 21, 2006 at 7:34 PM

Wow, my Bruch is on the home page! I feel so honored...

Last night I played a gig with a community orchestra, about 4 hrs away. It is so much fun to play with them, because the members are really there to have fun. I was sight-reading, but the usual nerves that would accompany such a situation were not there!

I spoke with the director, and we decided not to do the Mozart 5 in the fall. So I've spent all morning looking up violin and orchestra pieces. I'd like not to do a concerto, since there isn't time for a whole work. It is no easy task to pick a piece. First of all, I've never played a solo with an orchestra, so I want to pick something where I can focus on the aspects that will be new to me, instaed of struggling with the music. I also don't think I will really have much rehearsal time with the orchestra...so a piece that is hard to put together or has a lot of lyricism within the tempi might be disastrous.

On the way home I heard Schumann's fantasy for violin and orchestra via Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Royal Philharmonic. I fell in love. But it sounds a bit challenging for me. I could learn it, but I have to be honest with myself, and I know there would be problems putting it together musically (not even getting to technical issues). So I'm thinking about Beethoven Romance in F? I looked in Wikopoedia, and they had a huge list of pieces. I want something less showy and more romantic and poignant. Bruch Fantasy? Hm...

Any suggestions? I have until next fall to get it performance-ready. I MIGHT be able to afford lessons on it.

Also on the way home, I realized that long hours of driving is more detrimental to my neck/back/arms/hands than playing a concert. My, my... you'd think that would be a no-brainer...but...

Whew. The next few months are going to be so hectic, playing-performing wise. I'm getting so many jobs that I have to turn down due to a packed schedule already. It feels good, as if I've come to some professional level. But it is also hairy and a bit scary/exhausting just thinking about it!

Well. Off for the day....

Sals,
JW

From Tom Holzman
Posted on November 21, 2006 at 7:38 PM

I would suggest one of the Beethoven Romances for violin and orchestra. They are not that difficult (even I can sound good playing them) and are quite pretty.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on November 21, 2006 at 8:47 PM

Gretings,
Beethoven Romance in F.
Romanc ein g (more nervy)
Mozart Adagio and one of the rondos single movements. A good place to start for solo work.
Glazunov meditation.
Cheers,
Buri

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on November 21, 2006 at 10:30 PM

there you go. Great minds...

From jennifer steinfeldt warren
Posted on November 21, 2006 at 11:43 PM

Thanks guys! I sent her a .pdf of the Beethoven Romance in F (score) and we will start there. If that doesn't pan out, I have a few more ideas from you! Thanks!

Sals,
JW

From Emily Liz
Posted on November 22, 2006 at 3:20 AM

Dvorak Romance?

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Choosing a Piece

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