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Cello Repertoire Initiative

Romance

by William Henry Squire

Instrumentation
Cello, Piano
Duration
3'
Publisher
Stainer & Bell (2284); first published by Stainer & Bell, 1899
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About this piece

A short, warm Andante for cello and piano in C major. It has been set for grade 4 in recent ABRSM and Trinity cello exams, and it is a good piece for learning to shape a long melody.

Technical overview

Andante in 4/4, C major. The melody shifts up to fourth position on the A string, with triplet figures, chromatic passing notes and long crescendos. It ends with a pizzicato chord.

Technical focus

  • Accidentals
  • Collaboration with Piano
  • Dynamics
  • Hairpin Dynamics
  • Legato
  • Pizzicato
  • Shifting
  • Triplets

Level rubric

Early Intermediate

Left Hand

  • Regular shifting among 1st–4th positions.
  • Frequent shifts with target notes & prepared approaches.
  • Introduce ornamentation (grace notes, slow trills, turns).
  • Begin basic double stops (often with one open note).
  • Combine extensions with shifting.
  • Consistent vibrato on sustained notes with speed variations.

Right Hand

  • Bow arm gains finesse and speed.
  • Introduce controlled spiccato.
  • Sautillé appears in rapid passages.
  • Expand legato into longer, sustained lines.
  • Practice advanced articulations (martelé, refined string crossings).
  • Add complex strokes for double stops/chords.

Bow Strokes

  • Use context‑appropriate strokes: legato, spiccato, martelé.
  • Subtle bow changes during string crossings.

Rhythm & Musicality

  • Increased challenges: sixteenths, dotted rhythms, syncopation, contrasting subdivisions.
  • Emphasize expression with crescendos/decrescendos & vibrato.
  • Balance technical precision with emotional delivery.

Levels are approximate guides, not strict requirements.

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