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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Barcarole, Op. 11

by Felix Draeseke

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Composed
1872
Publisher
L. Hoffarth (1903, per the International Draeseke Society); Public Domain
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About this piece

Draeseke wrote this barcarolle in Lausanne in 1872 and dedicated it to the cellist Friedrich Grützmacher; Hoffarth published it in 1903. The International Draeseke Society calls it "a genre piece par excellence"[1], evoking undulating waves and gondolas over the piano's Italianate triplet accompaniment, and records Draeseke's complaint that "Grützmacher had made a scherzo out of the melancholy piece"[1]. Barbara Thiem recorded it on AK/Coburg (DR 0002). Draeseke had been losing his hearing since 1853.
  1. draeseke.org

Technical overview

A slow 3/8 barcarolle in A minor, with an A major middle section, over a rocking piano accompaniment. The cello part spends long stretches in tenor clef with marked thumb positions and natural harmonics, and ends high in treble clef. There are written glissandi, a sustained trill on low E, quick rising arpeggio flourishes and triplet figures. Frequent sf/fp accents and hairpins call for careful bow distribution at a slow tempo.

Technical focus

  • Tenor Clef
  • Treble Clef
  • Thumb Position
  • Harmonics
  • Glissando
  • Trills
  • Triplets
  • Hairpin Dynamics

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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