Need some ideas on pieces
This one is somewhat out of left field. My daughter's English class just completed a unit on Shakespeare's Macbeth, as well as two associated works (Sonnet 94 and Robert Frost's 'Out, Out')They have an artistic interpretation assignment, where the brief is to share a famous work of art (including music)that captures an idea from their study. While it is allowed to just link to someone else playing music, she would like to play something appropriate herself. Because this is due in a week, the piece has to be either something she already knows, or easy enough as to be essentially sight readable.
The ones we can think of are either well above her pay grade (Hindesmith, Ysaye, Bartok), or maybe a Bach fugue, which, she does not want to play any Bach. Maybe find some sort of solo violin transcription for Danse Macabre?
So, suggestions for other works to look into?
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Also, I wonder if some excerpts could be taken from the Verdi Opera ‘Macbeth’
Cheers,
Buri
Gene and Buri both have excellent suggestions, but if all else fails, she could give a rendition of Scotland the Brave. (Only half tongue in cheek)
Albinoni/Giazotto's Adagio has been featured on soundtracks.
IMSLP has sightreadable arrangements of Schubert Erlkoenig for string quartet or for violin and viola.
Bugger, I'm thinking of Hamlet. I haven't read Macbeth since 1978, so I can't remember what it's about.
Lady MacDuff's Lament and Scoon House
Lady MacBeth's Dream
The notation should not be read literally the way as if it was a classical work -- that is, the notated trills are not trills, but instead indication of an ornament. I originally said to listen to YouTube recordings and learn by ear with the written music as a guide to the pitches if necessary, but surprisingly, it doesn't look like anyone's played these tunes on YouTube.
Oswald is essentially a contemporary of Bach, so think of this as Baroque music. Baroque articulation, thoughtfulness in use of vibrato, freedom to improvisationally ornament. Dots are often implied double-dots in Scottish music, but I'd avoid snappy dotting in slow airs like this.
Also, this is an interesting list: https://www.folger.edu/blogs/folger-spotlight/playlist-a-guide-to-the-music-in-folgers-restoration-macbeth/
https://imslp.org/wiki/Macbeth_(Verdi,_Giuseppe)
Alternatively, there's the option of getting a copy of the sound track to Polanski's Macbeth
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_from_Macbeth
and working it out from there.
there is a concert arrangement by Grigory Feigin published by Muzyka in 2015. Your esteemed teacher may have a copy but i suspect it's awful.( May be the only thing I have ever agreed with Stalin about.)
Everything else I can think of is pretty tough if it needs to be unaccompanied.
I haven't had a chance to listen to more than a few bars, but it's definitely got an unexpected start to a transcription.
It's a shame the violin is almost inaudible. or maybe it adds to the mystery.
Shakespeare and Purcell, while not contemporary, both knew the 17th century and experienced its religious tensions, political conflicts, and the tug-of-war between superstition and science. I'd avoid the 'Danse Macabre' - about as frightening as tea with the Duchess of Bedford.
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