Quatre notes s'amusent

About this piece

A very short piece for cello and piano, published in 2013, in which the cellist plays only the four open strings (the 'four notes' of the title) while the piano supplies a gently modern, harmonically colourful accompaniment. It is in a lilting 3/4 at a moderate tempo and lasts under a minute. The piece was first written for violin and piano (dedicated 'à Olivia') and also exists for viola. Delatour grades it 1/8 ('très facile') and presents it as a first piece for beginners who are still learning the bow hold.

Technical overview

Open strings only, in dotted-half and half notes with marked bowings, crossing between adjacent strings within a slur and in separate detached bows. The cellist also has to shape a crescendo and a subito piano against the piano part.

Technical focus

• String Crossings
• 3 Note Slurs
• Detaché
• Hairpin Dynamics
• Dynamics
• Collaboration with Piano