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The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book, Part Two

by Cassia Harvey

Instrumentation
Cello
Publisher
C. Harvey Publications

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Cover of The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book, Part Two
Cover courtesy of C. Harvey Publications

About this piece

The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book, Volume Two helps you learn and perfect every measure of the third "movement" of this major cello concerto. The Concerto is broken down into short sections and taught through carefully graded exercises. Now you can master skills that would otherwise be difficult, such as shifts, fast scale patterns, double stop octaves, and artificial harmonics! You can be free to concentrate on artistic expression by solidifying your cello technique. The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 Study Book, Volume Two gives you essential tools to be a better cellist. The entire cello part to the third "movement" of the Concerto is presented at the end of the book (the piano accompaniment is not included). You can study this book along with The Saint-Saens Cello Concerto Study Book, Volume One & The Popper High School Study Book for Cello, Volume One.

Technical overview

This advanced cello method teaches every note of Saint-Saens' Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor, movement 3, 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.