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Cello Repertoire Initiative

The Popper High School Study Book for Cello, Volume Two

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications
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Cover of The Popper High School Study Book for Cello, Volume Two
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

The Popper High School Study Book for Cello, Volume Two presents exercises and studies to help cellists learn and perfect Etudes Six through Ten in David Popper’s High School of Cello Playing, Op. 73. Each etude is broken down into short sections and taught. Difficulties such as shifts and string crossing are approached from a variety of perspectives, giving the cellist ultimate mastery over these cello etudes that are so essential to advanced study. The etudes studied in this volume are presented in their entirety at the end of the book. This book could be followed by The Popper High School Study Book, Volume Three.

Technical overview

This advanced cello method teaches every note of five etudes by Popper measure by measure, step by step.

Level rubric

Advanced

Left Hand

  • Unrestricted fingerboard operation.
  • Effortless high‑register passages with thumb position.
  • Execute large leaps, rapid shifts & fast runs with precise intonation.
  • Render double stops with clarity and even vibrato.
  • Crisp, stylistically appropriate ornamentation (trills, turns, mordents).
  • Instinctive micro‑adjustments in intonation for expressiveness.
  • False harmonics in low positions

Right Hand

  • Complete command of all bow strokes at any tempo/dynamic.
  • Comfortable execution of virtuoso passages (sautillé, intricate ricochet).
  • Tone projection from whisper‑quiet to fortissimo.
  • Integrate advanced bow patterns with expressive phrasing.
  • Demonstrate technical precision with a broad dynamic range.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Interpret large‑scale structures with nuanced pacing and rhythmic freedom.
  • Highly refined phrasing with subtle note grouping & expressive rubato.
  • Convey emotional depth and stylistic authenticity.
  • Incorporate personal interpretive choices while meeting stylistic demands.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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