Taught by renowned cellist
Clive Greensmith
In this course, Clive Greensmith presents a detailed look at the stunningly original, late work of Brahms for cello and piano-- the sonata in F major, Op. 99. In this course that explores detailed elements of chamber music as well as cellistic challenges, Greensmith reveals the ins and outs of this complex piece, bringing his decades of experience to tonebase cello.
I. Allegro vivace
In this lesson, Clive Greensmith goes into depth on how to coordinate the cello part with the rich piano part. He also talks about the difficulties of the large shifts, particularly in the opening, and how to best navigate those. In addition, he teaches us about the famous bariolage passages that are so crucial for the character of this piece.
II. Adagio affettuoso
In the famous slow movement of this sonata, the cello must sing out, with a rich tone and much vibrato. Greensmith shows how to practice vibrating continuously, and how to pace the long lines of one of the great slow movements ever written for cello.
III. Allegro passionato
In this lesson, we learn about different bow strokes and how perfecting these bow strokes add to the character necessary to bring out the music. Greensmith also highlights the need to switch between the more carefree and the foreboding, and how these light and dark sides of Brahms are imperative for the listener to understand.
IV. Allegro molto
In the fourth movement, we learn about approaching seemingly "simple" melodic material, that happens to be very technically difficult! Greensmith shows us how to approach the different subtle corners of phrasing and mood shifts, all while not over complicating the musical purity.
Tackling Cellistic Intricacies in the Brahms F Major Sonata
In this lesson, Clive Greensmith goes into further detail on various technical and musical challenges for the cellist. While his guided lessons on each movement go into detail on the cello part and collaborating with piano, in this video, he takes a deeper dive into the cello difficulties of this work. Known as one of the most challenging sonatas in the repertoire, the Brahms F major requires many varying abilities on the cello, and this extra video is important in helping the cellist approach the piece with the necessary tools for success.
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Unlock Course →Clive Greensmith is Professor of cello at The Colburn School and former cellist of the celebrated Tokyo String Quartet.
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