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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Cello Pieces for Alisa

by Chen Yi

Instrumentation
Cello
Composed
2022
Duration
10'
Publisher
Theodore Presser Company (114-42339)
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About this piece

A ten-minute suite for unaccompanied cello in three movements (Mountain Tune; Ancient Song; Spin Dance), written for Alisa Weilerstein and premiered by her in Toronto on 28 January 2023 as part of her FRAGMENTS project, which pairs the Bach suites with new commissions. Mountain Tune is based on a wide-ranging love song from western Inner Mongolia; Ancient Song draws on Shaanxi folk-song material and the image of an ancient ritual dance; Spin Dance evokes the whirling Huxuan dance described by the Tang poet Bai Juyi, in fast continuous triplets. Presser calls it Chen Yi's third work for unaccompanied cello.

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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