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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Angelic Song and Angelic Dance

by Stephen Hough

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
2002
Duration
4'
Publisher
Josef Weinberger
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About this piece

Stephen Hough's Angelic Song and Angelic Dance are a pair of short pieces for cello and piano, published together by Josef Weinberger (copyright 2002, M570056286). The score of Angelic Song is headed 'To Gabriel, for Steven Isserlis', and the letters G-A-B-R-I-E-L are printed under the cello's opening notes. Trinity College London describes it as a gift from Hough for Isserlis's son Gabriel. Angelic Song is a gentle Andantino poco mesto in changing metres, with a pizzicato double-stop passage marked 'non rubato'. Trinity calls its partner, Angelic Dance, 'fast and energetic', and says both piano parts are 'playable by normal mortals'. Isserlis and Hough recorded both pieces on Children's Cello (BIS-CD1562), which Gramophone reviewed in July 2006. Trinity sets Angelic Song for Grade 6 and Angelic Dance for Grade 7.

Technical overview

Two short movements, about 4 minutes in all: Angelic Song (Andantino poco mesto, quarter = c. 63, about 2¼ min) and Angelic Dance (fast, about 1½ min). The Song needs a singing legato in tenor clef, shifts into higher positions, fluent counting through changing metres (4/4, 2/4, 3/4, 11/8, 5/4), and quick pizz.–arco switches with double stops.

Technical focus

  • Legato
  • Shifting
  • Dynamics
  • Hairpin Dynamics
  • Dotted Rhythms
  • 2 Note Slurs
  • 4 Note Slurs
  • Pizzicato
  • Double Stops
  • Rhythm

Level rubric

Late Intermediate

Left Hand

  • Master positions up to 7th.
  • Use 5th–7th positions for high notes; early thumb position basics.
  • Learn treble clef for 4th, 5th, 6th positions.
  • Practice complex shifting with guide‑finger techniques.
  • Manage upper extensions; play double stops (thirds, fourths, sixths) with consistency.
  • Use continuous, selectively applied vibrato.

Right Hand

  • Develop advanced bow strokes: deliberate ricochet & controlled up‑bow staccato.
  • Execute quick string crossings & precise chord articulations.
  • Achieve wide dynamic range while maintaining tone.
  • Seamless transitions between spiccato and legato.
  • Execute multiple stops/chord rolls rapidly.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Increased complexity: fast passages, intricate syncopation.
  • Detailed phrasing & structure; shape long phrases with rubato.
  • Combine expressive dynamics, vibrato & precise bowing techniques.
  • Further refine ensemble sensitivity & leadership.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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