12 Russian Violin Pieces
A Selection of pieces ( Easy - Grade 1 approx. )
The Hen : A
slow and calm piece, with a warm, round D tone throughout. Move the bow always
in a steady and constant speed and produce a "lake" of evenly
sustained sound. Do not force the sound, but achieve a fullness by using the
whole bow for each note. No accents should occur at any point. Both phrases
should diminish at the end, with a hint of slowing down at the end of the piece.
This is an ideal piece on which to build "tonus" - it only needs two
left hand fingers to play all the notes.
Walking
: This piece, also to be played entirely on the D string ( be sure to use
the 4th finger ! ) is moderate in pace, and a generous amount of bow should be
used for each note. As you play into the phrase ( this applies to a degree to
the last piece as well ) try and increase the concentration of sound in a
natural way. Do not overdo this, as the objective is to add a natural shape to
the phrase, which should naturally end piano / softly. Do not give the first
note the your full body of sound, as this should be saved for bar 3. The correct
tempo can be reached by imagining yourself walking. Try a few steps around the
room in a casual manner to determine the tempo. The music should flow.
On the lawn
: Not fast . The four repeated phrases should have a different tone each time
they are played : This is suggested very well by the subtle differences in
harmony of each phrase. The phrases should build up , with the second being of a
"stronger" tone, to the third, most "emphatic" one, and the
last should be played "in resignation" or "in conclusion".
Bowing distribution comes into play.
Little Piece
: This melody makes use of the beautiful and ample sonority peculiar to the G
string. As the phrase opens, use more bow, so you can draw the listener into the
middle of the phrase " ahead" so to speak. Each of the two phrases has
two halves. The first half is more "masculine" in character ; the
second more "feminine" and concluding. Use as little pressure on the
bow as possible in order not to "trap" or squash the string vibrations.
The lightness of bowing should project the sound out of the F holes. Note that
thicker G strings and light bowing requires that the bow point of contact be
shifted slightly towards the fingerboard with respect to the norm. Of course
adherence should always be present, though not excessive. The bow must never
slip or lose its friction on the string.
Little Polka
: This is by Kabalevsky. The tempo must be quite brisk and lively. Short
staccato notes are to be played in the middle of the bow. Bar 6 I play in third
position, to keep the G string tone. Beginners may like to stick to first
position, and later try out 3rd position in the 6th bar. There are some 4th
fingers needed to avoid string crossing.
The Hunter
: by Potolovsky. This masterpiece, with its powerful climax, is a perfect
composition which allows the young performer to display all the inflections of
tone - the crescendi ( use more bow ) and diminuendi - and all the tonal colours
in between a soft start and the loud , sonorous culmination of the phrase, when
the hunter shoots his arrow ! The first, shorter phrase on the D string is to be
played slightly "low key" ( less important ) than the main phrase
which culminates with the 3rd 3rd finger on the A string. At this point the
whole bow should be used with maximum hair contact on the string. Do not play
the rests too long, rather treat them as meaning a slight break in between the
notes.
The Boat
: by Kabalevsky. Start quite near the heel. Use a broad
singing stroke. Do not force the sound on the E string, by using too much
weight. Make sure the bow flows continuously. Make sure the attack on each of
the A F A E minims in bars 9 and 10 is clear and a "net" start to the
note occurs. Place the bow on the string, then draw it.
Twilight
: a cold eerie piece in A minor. Start near the heel. Use
the whole bow on the minims and slurred crotchets. Only the first bar should
consist of half the bow length being used. The second finger should be placed
near the first, but make sure the first is placed firmly and left down when the
other fingers are used. The staccato notes in the piano part should not be too
short and snappy. They must sing too.
The Mayfly
: A Ukrainian traditional tune : Play this at a leisurely
and unhurried pace. The first bar ( Pianoforte ) must not be played too dryly.
Sing the notes, but separate them slightly from each other. Keep the right hand
chords softly throughout the piece. Sing and play the left hand legato, joining
all the notes. Play with a round bass sound. The violinist's right hand must
flow like a breeze - use the whole bow, and divide it evenly into two for the
quarter notes. "Tonus" on the E string is the hardest to produce,
especially in first position, but it can be done ! Keep the bow speed steady and
constant.
The Orchard
: A traditional Russian tune. This piece may be played accelerating steadily
from beginning to end. From the first broad whole bow notes, to a more marked
and rhythmical ending. As the tempo increases use less bow. The ending should be
played détaché.
Little Beach Tree :
This is a new Year's song for children. For advanced students I sometimes give a
piece like this to be played entirely on the D string, playing the top D as a
harmonic. The tempo is Allegretto, a the sound dolce and mezzoforte.
Lullaby :
by Dunaevsky : Another piece which can be played on the D string for more
advanced students, or simply in 1st position for others. The tone should be
sweet, soft and velvety throughout. At the mezzo forte more bow ( in proportion
) can be used for a brighter sound. When playing pianissimo at the end,
make sure you use plenty of bow, but play very lightly, with only a few bow
hairs brushing the strings, and with most of the bow weight held in the hands.
Notice the ritenuto ( rit. ) and broadening of sound before the pianissimo
ending. At the rit. the phrase should be suspended on the B and especially on
the D. String changes with the bow must be smooth.
