Cello excerpt
Mahler, Symphony No. 1 in D major
I. Langsam, schleppend
The "Wayfarer" theme stated in the cellos, naïve, folk-like, pure.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Cello
- Composer
- Gustav Mahler
- Work
- Symphony No. 1 in D major
- Movement
- I. Langsam, schleppend
- Era
- Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)
- Composed
- 1888
- Key
- D
- Metre
- 4/4
- Tempo
- Immer sehr gemächlich · ♩ ≈ 80
- Clef
- Tenor clef
- Level
- Intermediate, university level
- Audition list
- Not a standard excerpt
How to practise it
The bow style, the trouble spots, and the stylistic decisions that come up most often on this excerpt.
Style
Naïve, folk-like, no Romantic schmaltz. Mahler marked it "Wie ein Naturlaut" (like a sound of nature).
Tags
Work on the technique underneath
Arco's cello curriculum builds the bow strokes, positions, and clef reading this excerpt assumes, with recorded cello playback throughout.