Cello excerpt · Audition repertoire
Strauss, Don Juan, Op. 20
Allegro molto con brio
The most-asked orchestra audition excerpt for cello, a heroic, virtuoso opening that demands speed, precision, and bravura.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Cello
- Composer
- Richard Strauss
- Work
- Don Juan, Op. 20
- Movement
- Allegro molto con brio
- Era
- Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)
- Composed
- 1888
- Key
- E
- Metre
- 2/2
- Tempo
- Allegro molto con brio · ♩ ≈ 84
- Clef
- Tenor clef
- Level
- Audition, professional standard
- Audition list
- Yes, standard excerpt
How to practise it
The bow style, the trouble spots, and the stylistic decisions that come up most often on this excerpt.
Bowing
Whole bow on the marcato eighth, then off-string for the running figure.
Fingering
Plan every shift. The opening leap to E4 must be in tune cold, start with that note in your ear.
Where it goes wrong
The biggest excerpt killer, practice with metronome at half tempo until secure, then build up.
Style
Bravura, swagger, Don Juan himself. Don't play it safe.
Tags
The full score is on IMSLP.
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.