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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Words and Song Without Words

by Yannis Kyriakides

Instrumentation
Cello, Electronics
Composed
2012
Duration
12'
Publisher
Donemus
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About this piece

Words and Song Without Words (2012) is a work for cello, electronics and video by Yannis Kyriakides. It responds to an 1842 letter in which Felix Mendelssohn, writing about his Songs Without Words, argued that music is less ambiguous than words: Kyriakides encodes the letter's text into music and projects the words on screen one at a time. Larissa Groeneveld gave the first performance at the Cello Biennale Amsterdam in October 2012, and the piece won the International Rostrum of Composers prize in 2014.

Technical overview

No technical overview is available yet.

Level rubric

Professional

Left Hand

  • Complete command of the fingerboard.
  • Proficient thumb position across all strings.
  • Execute complex double stops and rapid trills precisely.
  • Fast scales and leaps with precise intonation and speed.
  • Apply expressive techniques (portamenti, micro‑adjusted intonation) tastefully.
  • Easily execute false harmonics.

Right Hand

  • Seamlessly blends martelé, spiccato, sautillé, legato & ricochet.
  • Meticulous bow distribution for sustained lines or rapid passages.
  • Clear pianissimo to controlled fortissimo.
  • Economical, efficient bow movement with smooth transitions.
  • Employ advanced effects (ponticello, bow effects) artistically.

Musicality

  • Focus on a deeply personal, communicative performance.
  • Make interpretive choices reflecting deep understanding of form, style & emotion.
  • Convey nuanced phrasing, wide dynamic range & a unique artistic voice.
  • Craft dramatic cadenzas/solos with rubato, tone & expressive timing.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

Music

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