Viola excerpt · Audition repertoire
Ravel, Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2
Shimmering, divided, colouristic string writing that asks for control at very quiet dynamics and precise ensemble.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Viola
- Composer
- Maurice Ravel
- Work
- Daphnis et Chloé, Suite No. 2
- Era
- Modern (c. 1910–1950)
- Composed
- 1912
- Clef
- Alto 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
Extremely quiet playing that still speaks. Contact point over the fingerboard with a slow bow, rather than pressing lightly at the usual point.
Where it goes wrong
Rhythmic placement within the texture matters more than individual sound; the effect only works if the section is exactly together.
Style
Colour rather than melody. Resist shaping it as a tune.
Tags
Work on the technique underneath
Arco's viola curriculum builds the bow strokes, positions, and clef reading this excerpt assumes, with recorded viola playback throughout.