You might think that a violin case is relatively simple. It’s got a violin, and a bow, and not much else. There are multiple things in the case of a violinist that help you get set up and be prepared for any contingency. Here’s a list of what I have in my case.
Continue reading What’s in my violin case?Category: Violin
Top 5 Violin Showpieces
Violin showpieces are the pieces which are at the limit of violin technique. They are difficult, flashy, and impressive. Here’s my list of the top five violin showpieces.
Paganini – Caprice 24
Paganini‘s 24 Caprices are some of the most difficult for the violin, and being able to play any of them is a great accomplishment. However, the 24th Caprice is by far the most famous, and most difficult. Based upon a Theme and Variations model, this caprice employs many of the most difficult violin techniques in a musically solid base. This video is of Hillary Hahn performing this Caprice.
Continue reading Top 5 Violin ShowpiecesLearning the Joachim Cadenza
I’m teaching myself Joachim’s Cadenza to Mozart’s Violin Concerto Number 4 in D Major, by practicing it every day and uploading my progress to TikTok. This is my weekly log so I can see the improvement over time.
Pachelbel Canon in D for Solo Violin
I hadn’t realised that I had forgotten to upload this to my site. This is an arrangement I had made of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, arranged for Solo Violin. It is much adapted and abridged, and makes use of double stops to make the illusion of multiple voices in some parts, while reverting to single lines where necessary. Uses only the “interesting” parts.
This arrangement is © 2006 Ben Clapton, however I do give permission for this piece to be performed anywhere in the world, for whatever purpose (busking, weddings etc) on the sole condition that I be notified by e-mail to mail@benclapton.id.au or as a comment to this post as to the location (City, Country) that it will be performed in. Comments about the arrangement are always welcome, but please – constructive criticism or praise only.
This arrangement has been performed in places such as the US, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia.
Download Ben Clapton’s arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon in D for solo violin.Download Pachelbel’s Canon for Solo Violin
This is a free arrangement. However, if you like the arrangement and would like to tip, please press one of the buttons below.
On This Day… October 24
Today we look at one of the largest figures in the violin world. Even today his influence is easy to see, with a large number of editions still published with his editings. David Oistrakh, died on this day in 1974. Continue reading On This Day… October 24
On This Day… October 19
When talking about the world of violin concertos, there are two that dominate. Tchaikovsky’s concerto in D major is incredible, but just as important is the subject of today’s post. Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in d minor, premiered on this day in 1905. Continue reading On This Day… October 19
On This Day… October 14
Today we look at one of the major pieces of the violin repertoire. Antonin Dvorak’s Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 108, premiered on this day in 1883. Continue reading On This Day… October 14
On This Day… 2 October
As if we didn’t have enough composers to celebrate their birthdays of, the tradition has arisen that we also celebrate their dying- or death-day. We get major celebrations at 50 years after their death, which could also be 100 years after their birth. But either way, it’s an excuse for concert programmers to hold a concert. Or a number of concerts. Today we look at the first death-day of this series, that of the Romantic composer Max Bruch. Continue reading On This Day… 2 October
On This Day… September 27
Today we look at a lesser known Brittish composer, who was titled the “Father of modern British Music” and “the English Debussy.” Cyril Scott, born on September 27th, 1879 was a composer, writer and poet. Continue reading On This Day… September 27
How does he know?
You know, sometimes it’s incredible how people know exactly the right thing to say, seemingly without any prompting. Perhaps sometimes someone can be really good at reading people, but others it’s just incredible. For me, it’s happened with my teacher a couple of times. Once when I was thinking once again about my practice techniques, and what does he bring up in string class, but a lengthy “lecture” on practice. Just recently is the more incredible one though. After having been away for a week, I get to my lesson on Tuesday and he brings up the topic of focus and where I’m wanting to head in music, what I would like to be doing once I leave uni etc. The incredible thing is that I had just been thinking about that very same topic on the weekend. I hadn’t even talked to anyone about it, just thinking about it – yet he comes up with this one hour talk/discussion on it. I didn’t end up playing a note in that lesson – but I got so much out of it.
Orchestral playing is what I really love, and Peter suggested that towards the end of the year I might take a couple of mock auditions in which I could practice taking auditions – and play the repertoire that I would be expected to play for an audition. So I’m now learning the Tchaikovsky Violin concerto, as well as Mozart Concerto Number 4. Tomorrow in my lesson, I’ll suggest a couple of dates for the mock auditions, as well as bring him a list of excerpts that I would like to learn.
I seem to be rather excited about this prospect – like I’m actually making steps towards my goal. While I know that all the stuff that I have been doing previous to this have helped, this actually seems like physical steps towards the goal.
I did 3 hours practice straight today – a rarity in recent times. It did have something to do with not having anything on today, and wanting to get into the tchaikovsky, but also the fact that I was motivated to do it, made it seem like it went past really quickly. Let’s hope for more of the same!