New Music Friday: Symphony Op. 11, No. 2: II. Andante & III. Presto

This piece offers a challenge for a string orchestra with confident players throughout all sections. Students will enjoy the contrasts in character between both movements and between the major and minor sections of the Presto movement. The low-string parts are active and exciting to play in both movements. As a low-string player myself, I find that low-string parts in slow movements can often be uninteresting. However, in this slow movement, the low strings consistently echo the violin melody, which guarantees that all students will have the opportunity to be musically expressive on a lyrical melody within a slow tempo.

This piece offers students numerous learning opportunities, such as experiencing how to perform in the Classical-Era style, 2/4 versus 6/8 meters, D-Major and D-minor, at-the-frog and off-the-string bowings, hooked-bowings, bow lifts, up-bows at the frog, and more. Both movements should use tapered phrasing and light, clean, off-the-string bow strokes. In moments with frequent string-crossings in the Presto, staying in the lower half of the bow for control and clarity is recommended.

The violin I part requires shifting as high as III position and fingering suggestions are included. The violin II part is active and requires strong players; however, there is no shifting involved. The viola and cello parts do not require shifting. The cello part includes several viola cues that could be helpful if there is a smaller viola section in the ensemble. If members of the viola section are looking for an extra challenge, they are encouraged to play the included violin II cues. The bass part requires shifting as high as III position, and fingering suggestions are included along with position indications. Some optional divisi is also provided for bass players to use as needed.