MusicCoach difficulty
61/100
Intermediate
Level of the complete work
We have no level specific to this movement. The figure above is that of the complete work: within a cycle, movements often differ widely in demand.
Estimated skills
Technique
Thumb position
1
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Technique
Double stops (cello)
1
Style
Baroque style
1
Reading
Bass clef reading
1
Ornaments
Baroque ornaments
1
Theory
Harmonic analysis
1
Technique
Position changes (cello)
1
Technique
Intonation (cello)
1
Technique
Bow legato (cello)
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
Rhythm
General rhythm
1
What to play next?
Each suggestion combines difficulty gap, risk, confidence and skill overlap. The first two cards in each column are the most useful pedagogically.
Gentle step
The safest next step.
Gentle
Suite pour violoncelle et piano, op. 16 : I. Prélude
Camille Saint-Saëns
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Position du pouce and Ornements baroque — practise it slowly, separating left hand from bow: bow alone on open strings, then the fingering silently.
Gentle
Kleine Suite (Little Suite), op. 23: III. (Altes Tanzliedchen) Massig, doch frisch
Ferruccio Busoni
close skills
low risk
to confirm
A short step up, staying in Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Vibrato (violoncelle) and Détaché (violoncelle) — what matters is a steady sustained tone: bow speed, contact point and pressure even, before any thought of speed.
Balanced step
A genuine step up, without a jolt.
Balanced
Kleine Suite (Little Suite), op. 23: V. Moderato ma con brio
Ferruccio Busoni
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
A real step up, staying in Intermediate (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM). New compared with the previous piece: Vibrato (violoncelle) and Détaché (violoncelle) — what matters is a steady sustained tone: bow speed, contact point and pressure even, before any thought of speed.
Balanced
Cello Suite no. 2 in D minor, BWV.1008
Johann Sebastian Bach
close skills
moderate risk
fair confidence
A real step up, staying in Intermediate (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM). The skill that will carry the work: Position du pouce and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly, separating left hand from bow: bow alone on open strings, then the fingering silently.
Ambitious challenge
A useful leap with guided practice.
Challenge
Suite no. 1 for Solo Cello
Ernest Bloch
close skills
high risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Advanced (around grade 8 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Style moderne et contemporain and Vibrato (violoncelle) — the notes are not enough: articulation and ornaments follow performance conventions best checked in an urtext edition.
Challenge
Cello Suite no. 4 in E flat major, BWV.1010
Johann Sebastian Bach
close skills
moderate risk
to confirm
An ambitious leap into Advanced (around grade 7 ABRSM/RCM) — only worth starting if the practice time is really there. New compared with the previous piece: Passages rapides and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly, separating left hand from bow: bow alone on open strings, then the fingering silently.
Same level
Same level
Cello Suite no. 1 in G major, BWV.1007
Johann Sebastian Bach
close skills
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Distribution de l'archet (violoncelle) and Connaissance des formes — practise it slowly, separating left hand from bow: bow alone on open strings, then the fingering silently.
Same level
Suite pour violoncelle et piano, op. 16 : II. Sérénade
Camille Saint-Saëns
close skills
low risk
to confirm
Equivalent demands, still Intermediate (around grade 6 ABRSM/RCM): what changes is the ground. What changes is the skill in play: Voix chantante and Vibrato (violoncelle) — the notes will be secure long before the musical line: work in whole phrases, singing the main voice.