Here is the next track in the Virtual Master Class Project. This is a well-known bass excerpt from the last movement of Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4. 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)
Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4
Candidate 1
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Wow, fantastic sound, great articulation. I thought the rhythm wasn’t as distinguishable as it could have been… the opening rhythm on the A string (and all similar rhythms) sounded more like groups of 5 sixteenths than the triplet rhythm that’s written. I guess I hear too much of the “pick up” note after the eighth rest, and not enough of the first eighth note in the group of three. The C-B-A part sounded great though.
OK you got me confused – what part of the excerpt are you playing at the end – are you putting two bits together and if so why? Is there an audition coming up where they request this and if so – that’s bizarre!! (but then auditions can be that way!!)
You obviously have facility and can play fast on the bass. However I would recommend taking this slower. The triplet figure sounds scratchy instead of punchy – practice very slowly with a tiny amount of bow and gradually speed it up. But you don’t need to play it at quite the tempo you have in this recording (and when you figure in adreneline in the audition you’ll be better off!!).
Your triplet figure throughout rushed. Think of the notes and the musical line (this is not a “see how fast I play excerpt” its music!!). This excerpt for me dances – and it seemed very stationary for me in your playing. Just like the Berlioz I want to hear depth and contrast – I know the Mendelssohn is one dynamic but there are important notes and less important notes – thats what creates the musical line and pulse.
You have facility and have learnt the notes – I think you need to focus on listening to recordings with orchestra and thinking about the music. Then practice making a beautiful sound and musical line and you’ll have a great product.