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This is still very much a work in progress.
If you'll recall, I started taking online lessons with a focus on injury rehab and prevention back in February, and later started working on Bach Cello Suite No. 2, so I'm working on a piece with a teacher for the first time in my life. So far it's definitely changed the way I look at Bach.
Here's where the Prelude is now. Although I'm working on the whole suite, I'm especially focusing on this movement because I plan to use it as my "slow" selection in an orchestra audition in September. (Audition is asking for one fast piece and one slow piece of my choice.)
Compared to the self-taught version I've posted before, I've slowed it down to better fit the introspective, improvisatory feel I'm aiming for. I'm also trying to be more conscious of the shifting moods, how I want the tempo to ebb and flow, which notes to bring out more, and where everything fits into the overall structure of the movement.
I'm still not really happy with my tone -- I feel like it needs to be weightier at times without getting louder. (That said, I recorded this video with not quite enough rosin on my bow, so maybe that partially solves the problem.) I also think I'm probably changing tempo a bit to abruptly at times and holding on to some notes too long.
Any thoughts on this and how it could improve?
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First, bravo! We were using some Bach Cello Suites for my cello lessons. No piece of cake, that is for sure. This piece, we did not get i to, we only got into a couple.
I could tell about 1/3 of the way through, I could feel and hear you loosening up and your intonation improved. You seemed to feel more comfortable just playing the viola, like your arms and fingers, whole body, actually, just loosened up and you let your talent flow more. Does that make sense?
Further into it I noticed the dynamics more. I don't know if that was just that I noticed them more, or they were done so they were more noticeable.
Your chords are fantastic! I think that is what my instructor called them, but I am not sure if that was the term he used for those sections. I am not very good with them on my cello with Bach or anything else. 👍
I really loved this. I hope you record it again as you polish for your audition.
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pro playing @AndrewH ! really enjoy listening!
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@AndrewH -
BEAUTIFUL!
I hear & see a big difference over a year ago!
I can tell you feel better.
Really enjoy listening to you play, Andrew.
Thank you for sharing your Bach Cello Suite No.2!
...can't wait to hear more!
- Emily
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great work, no doubt about it, I am sure you will pass the Audition with flying colours.
Cant beat a sunny day
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AndrewH
Very nicely played.
Mark
Master the Frog and you have mastered the bow.
Albert Sammons
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@AndrewH thanks for sharing this. As always, it is a pleasure to hear you play. Please don't hesitate to post any later versions of it (or of any other part of the suite).
I listened to several youtube versions of this, it's remarkable how interpretations can differ… I'm giving it a try, as I was in need of something new to play. I won't manage anything acceptable but it's good for practicing musicality.
Good luck for the audition, I'm sure you'll do great :--) When is is ? And what is the fast piece ?
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The audition is for a university orchestra. I just started a postgraduate law degree program (LL.M degree) last week, and I'm planning to audition for the orchestra a month from now. I have it scheduled for September 20. It's actually not a super high stress audition. The university orchestra has the same conductor as my current orchestra, so he knows I can play and I mostly need to show I'm taking the audition seriously. (But I also want to impress him because he hasn't heard me audition or play solo.)
The "fast" piece isn't actually that fast; I've selected the first movement of the Clarke viola sonata to show off a very different kind of playing.
I'm taking this week off from practicing, though, because I aggravated my shoulder injury a bit. Otherwise I was planning to post my progress some time soon.
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@AndrewH,
How did it go ?
I hope your shoulder's getting better. Hopefully you can take a few days off now ?
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@AndrewH -
Oh, yeah!
When do you find out?
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Found out at the end of the audition. First rehearsal is tonight!
I've felt inspired by John to blog instead of just posting videos, because at this point I'm in two orchestras and tend to work on solo pieces that take a lot of time to learn, so most of what I'm playing isn't really good for taking video. Look for that in the next couple days, I'll have more details there. (Delay just because I've been busy with non-music things.)
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Congrats @AndrewH and well done ! Enjoy the experience !
Looking forward to following your own blog, sounds like a good idea !
I seriously recommend not copying my mistakes. D'oh - 
Please make your own, different mistakes, and help us all learn :-)
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@AndrewH - Love hearing you play and can only aspire to ever playing as well. I'm also looking forward to your blog, as I'm sure it will be more varied and interesting than mine! lol
The old curmudgeon!
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