uosymphony

Click here for Mozart Requiem Performance Practice Tips with images

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX0kohQJQ9zWtb7Yq4DxaaJ-o5QKqrZBt

• General principle: the NOTATION is NOT the MUSIC !
• Staccato  =  buoyant, circular motion of the right hand in touching the strings with the bow
• Fermata =  abrupt stop, no ritardando
• Long notes need to have direction and grow towards what follows
• Chords = bottom of the chord happens on the beat
• Appoggiaturas are almost always long and ON the beat
• Bowing = start  on strong beats,  on weak beats, bow as it comes whenever possible
• Phrasing = when in doubt, follow the text
• Cadences = strong penultimate note, weak final note
• Vibrato = a special ornament to be used sparingly; no continuous vibrato!
• Strings use 1^st position and open strings whenever possible
• “In the 18^th century the bow lives off the string and goes on when needed”
• Accented beats are not stronger than normal, but unaccented beats are weaker!