Die Moldau

March 22, 2007 at 4:14 AM

I took my latest set orchestra music to lessons tonight (Joel got excited). He started leafing through everything and then.... "ARGGGHHHHH! OMG! They are having you guys play Die Moldau?!?! This is where you wish you were a first violinist!!! They get the easy part!" So with that great encouragement, we proceded with most of the lesson tonight on that one piece, and only a few portions of it.

ARGHHH is right! Constant 16th note runs for about 5-6 pages - 1st pos to 2nd to 1st to 2nd and so on and so forth. After your left hand gives out, then onto a page or two of right hand excercise. We are going to be exhaused after this one.

Some interesting stuff this season. Besides Die Moldau, we are playing Jurassic Park, Sonata Da Chiesa (Corelli), Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral (Wagner), Ballet Egyptien No1 (Luigini), and Andalucia.

From Paul Grant
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 6:14 AM

Oh man...i remember playing the moldau last september. My fingers were about ready to fall off. In reality it was my fault for not consistently practicing and practicing the passages. At least you'll build up a lot of finger strength!

Good Luck!

Paul

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 11:13 AM

I'm glad to hear about interesting and challenging orchestral parts for viola! That's one thing people keep warning me about when I tell them I want to audition for an orchestra in the fall on viola rather than violin. That You Tube riff "Go to Hell Pachelbel" (about the Pachelbel Canon cello part--but it could easily apply to the viola part too) keeps popping to mind.

From Jesus Contreras Espada
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 4:12 PM

Just like in the case of "aires gitanos", we could say "Vltava" but then very few would know what we're talking about. It's a pity.
The moldau is a very good bowing excercise for the 2nd violin (though boring).
Andalucia is very close to where I come from. I actually lived 2 years in Malaga.
Anyway, who's the composer? Lecuona?

From Neil Cameron
Posted on March 22, 2007 at 10:49 PM

What did Moldau do to you Mendy to deserve to die?

;)

Neil

PS. Yes I know it's a very bad joke, but I feel like being bad.

From Mendy Smith
Posted on March 23, 2007 at 5:26 AM

The composer is Lecuona..

Niel - what Moldau did was to give the violists a first violin part on a instrument 3-4" larger!!! :)

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