Fingering Tips for Franck Violin Sonata

September 2, 2013 at 06:29 PM · Any suggestions for fingering in bar 115 of the 2nd movement of the Franck Violin Sonata?

I've practiced it over and over and thought I'd managed to get it sorted, but every time I play it through with my pianist it's a terrible mess.

This is the fingering I'm using: I-2431 II-4321 2431 III-32 IV-43

There are some odd stretches, which is maybe what makes it so tricky to get the notes in tune. Maybe there's an easier fingering?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Replies (4)

oliviu dorian constantinescu

September 2, 2013 at 08:43 PM · I use I 2431 310(II)2 2431 (III)31 (IV)43 3, or (III) 31 (IV) 32 2, but I recommend the first variant as it's more reliable in speed due to it being easier to throw a finger over the string by contracting than by extension. So, the best one would be:

I 2431 310(II)2 2431 (III)31 (IV)43 3

Given that this is a rapid fortissimo descent, I avoid dissorienting stretches and going on the lower strings so early because it would muddle the execution and darken the tone prematurely. I also think and play the a sharp as b flat and f doublesharp as g natural, both in the second position on the e string and when they repeat in the third position on the D.

Let me know how it works out.

jean dubuisson

September 3, 2013 at 05:02 AM · I love these fingering discussions. The edition I have suggests (starting in fifth position) to go to third position on the fourth note (C#) then simply stay in third for the remainder of the bar.

Sacha Standen

September 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM · Thanks for those suggestions. I hadn't thought of the option of shifting down on the E string, but you're right, it makes for a cleaner execution. Still finding it difficult to get perfect intonation on all of the notes at speed, but I guess that's just a question of practice.