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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Solomon

by Yuriy Leonovich

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
2010
Duration
13'37''
Publisher
YL Edition (composer's own imprint)
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About this piece

A five-movement suite in klezmer style tracing the life of the biblical King Solomon: Introduction, Doina and Freilach, Hora, Improvisation and Waltz, and Epilogue. Leonovich wrote it in 2010 for the Prima Trio (violin, clarinet and piano) and transcribed it for cello and piano in 2014, revising it since. The second movement is built on Israel Goldfarb's tune "Shalom Aleichem", the fourth borrows from the composer's own solo-clarinet piece A Wandering Klezmer, and the Epilogue brings back the opening with a brief allusion to the Dies irae. The composer's live recording lasts about 14 minutes.

Technical overview

The cello part moves between bass, tenor and treble clefs and calls for klezmer-style grace notes and mordents, crisp staccato repeated-note figures, swung triplets and a free recitative-like passage. Meters change between 12/8, 9/8, 4/4 and cut time, and there are forceful pizzicato chords.

Technical focus

  • Shifting
  • Articulation
  • Pizzicato
  • Meter Changes
  • Tempo Changes
  • Rhythm
  • Dynamics
  • Hairpin Dynamics
  • Accidentals
  • Collaboration with Piano

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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