Here is the next track in the Virtual Master Class Project. This is the bass solo from the first act of Verdi’s Rigoletto. Leave criticism, advice, practice tips, and the like by clicking on the ‘comments’ link below the player.
Sometimes these players take 10-20 seconds to load, so give it a little time to play if it doesn’t start right away. Read more about this project here, or click here to listen to all the tracks. There aren’t many now, but you can help with that by submitting tracks or telling students & friends about this opportunity.
E-mail me submissions here (jsh177@yahoo.com)
Verdi Rigoletto
Candidate 1
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Lovely tone,tapering, and intonation. The classic oversight in this passage is evident here: the eighth notes have been neglected to be assigned vibrato. That missing element would very likely cost you an audition (held by a major orchestra or opera). Add that and people will pay attention and be more prone to seriously consider your playing ability. Bravo.
I agree with the above comment. But I think you also need to really watch for rhythm here – tap out the eighth notes as you listen and you’ll see that you cut some of the dotted quarters short. Also you had a few note that could have had better intonation (this being a solo with cello). I think these factors would affect you much more in an audition than the vibrato issue – although I think it is a good one and can be incorporated too.
Very good. Every measure sounds like it’s own phrase. It would greatly improve the solo if you could piece together one long phrase composed of several smaller phrases. With in the Smaller phrases make sure the shorter notes lead to the next long notes and grow as the line ascends, gently coming away as it descends, but most important is the Connection between the notes.