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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Fantasie, Op. 26

by Sonja Béets

Instrumentation
Cello, Harp
Composed
2000
Duration
6'4''
Publisher
Digital Music Print (DMP), Belgium; distributed by UMMP (cat. CM108076DMP, 'Fantasy for Cello and Harp')
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About this piece

A six-minute fantasy for cello and harp written in July 2000. It moves through several tempos and changing meters, from a slow, chromatic Andante with rapid slurred figures to pizzicato episodes, an espressivo 2/4 section and a hushed flautando passage high on the A string. Posting a rehearsal recording, the composer wrote that the piece is "like a smile from the mystical Irish world."

Technical overview

The cellist shifts into treble clef up to B4 for a soft flautando passage, switches repeatedly between pizzicato (including two-note pizzicato) and arco, and plays quick slurred 32nd-note figures through frequent meter and tempo changes.

Technical focus

  • Shifting
  • Pizzicato
  • Meter Changes
  • Tempo Changes
  • Accidentals
  • Bow Control
  • Hairpin Dynamics
  • Slurs
  • Rhythm

Level rubric

Early Advanced

Left Hand

  • Fully integrated thumb position; scales/arpeggios on A & D strings.
  • Smooth shifts into/out of thumb position for sustained high notes.
  • Frequent advanced double stops with rapid, coordinated shifts.
  • Accurate ornamentation (trills, turns, grace notes), even in double stops.
  • Expressively adjust intonation for chord balance.
  • Handle fast runs and large leaps precisely.
  • Introduction to false harmonics.

Right Hand

  • Virtuoso bow strokes: controlled up/down‑bow staccato, deliberate ricochet & well‑shaped sautillé.
  • Wide tone palette via precise bow adjustments.
  • Explore advanced effects (col legno, sul ponticello) as needed.
  • Capable of both powerful fortissimo and delicate soft notes.
  • Rapid switching among strokes in cadenzas/virtuosic passages.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Apply rhythmic freedom & rubato to shape movements and cadenzas.
  • Personal interpretation with nuanced phrasing & subtle dynamics.
  • Mature tone and phrasing for solo and ensemble settings.
  • Demonstrate advanced ensemble leadership with visual cues.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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