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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Three Fantasy Pieces

by Shulamit Ran

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
1971
Duration
22'
Publisher
Theodore Presser Company
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About this piece

Three large movements for cello and piano, written in 1971 for and dedicated to British cellist Richard Markson. He gave the premiere with pianist Lamar Crowson at Wigmore Hall, London, in December 1971. The movements are marked 'Forceful, passionate, with much rhythmic freedom', 'Slow' and 'Mad!'. In her programme note, Ran says the set is closer in weight to a sonata than to short character pieces. It opens with a cello cadenza and has passages where the two players go independently and meet at set points. The finale quotes a distorted Bach theme. Cliff Colnot later transcribed it for cello and orchestra as Three Fantasy Movements.

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.

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