Charles Dancla (1817-1907) Theme and Variations (Air Varié) on a theme by Bellini Op. 89, No. 3 for violin and piano – Practice video in 2 speeds
This tuneful and fun intermediate violin piece is great for violinists wishing to develop a virtuoso style.
Dancla, a celebrated violinist and pedagogue of the nineteenth century who had studied in the Paris conservatoire with Baillot, crafted this piece to be both technically interesting and musically engaging for the intermediate violinist of about grade 6 or 7 standard. The piece consists of an introduction, theme, two variations and a coda, alternating singing melodies with virtuoso techniques, including:
- Easy natural harmonics
- Manageable double and triple stops
- A cadenza-like passage at the end of the introduction
- Up-bow staccato
Practice in Two Different Speeds – Practice Tips
The video includes the accompaniment in two speeds: 1) ♩ = 76 2) ♩ = 86
Each speed has a version where the piano plays the violin part and a version where the accompaniment is payed alone.
Here are some practice tips:
- Play along with the slow version to develop the phrasing of melodic lines and to practice the more difficult sections with a relaxed hand.
- Try to develop a sense of comfort and ease whilst playing in the slower version and develop this feeling when practising along with the faster version in the video
- Try developing an inner ear by listening to the piano accompaniment and watching the violin score. Can you imagine the sound of the violin?
- Try to develop smooth shifts in the slower version.
- Remember that glissandos sound better going upwards! (Downwards glissandos are risky – they can make your playing sound unsophisticated!)
- Remember to play the triple stops (e.g. bar 63 and 66, etc) from the string (the bow starts from the string, rather than being dropped from above). This will help control of the timing and the quality of the sound.
- The bottom notes of the triple stops areas like bar 63 and the beginning of 64 could be played more heavily than the top notes, which can be lighter, since the bottom notes have a melody in this place.
Happy Practising!