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Scan 250
An Encyclopedia of the Violin, 1925
18 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 222. See the scan on archive.org.
1that the master was influenced by a spirit of fatalism when he gave this poem of sorrow and despair to the world.
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4Larghetto Affettuoso
5Though in keeping with its character, this larghetto should be taken very slowly, it is an adagio, ma non troppo rather than a larghetto.
6The plaintive melodic voice heard at the beginning:
8should be expressed with great tenderness and in a very sustained manner, the last eighth note of the first measure being prolonged. A slight crescendo in measure 3 brings us to the sorrowful measure which succeeds it, and in this measure 4 a slight accent on the first D should be followed by a diminuendo. Play measures 5 and 6 mezzo forte, measure 7, mezzo piano, and measure 8 piano. The forte in measure 10 should be produced with the maximum of expression and with a broad bow, and this forte should be maintained until the last dotted half note of measure 12 is reached. Play measures 13 and 14 very sustained; and measures 15, 16 and 17 meditatively, while in measure 18 a pronounced crescendo should lead up to the chord. A slight agitation should mark the playing of measure 19, and the last eighth note of measure 20 should be much prolonged. Play the last three measures in a very sustained manner and with an accent of the greatest sorrow.
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11Allegro
12Play the beginning in a very energetic and vigorously accented manner. The difficulty in this movement lies in the proper use of a very strident trill, and it is preferable to regulate the trill by the small notes, since it is physically impossible to develop a well nourished trill on passing sixteenth notes, as:
14Another difficulty to be overcome in this movement is the player's tendency to "bolt." The word "bolt" should be graven in the violinist's memory, for though it is easy enough to understand the anxiety of the soloist, he must control it, and must not budge from the initial tempo set.
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17The seven measures which follow should be conceived on a majestic plan and played correspondingly.
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