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Louis Cahuzac

Author: Laurie
Date: 2005-01-04 02:09

I'm preparing one of Cahuzac's Etudes - #7 for an upcomming audition. The only marking on this piece is " Movement de Scherzo Modere". I've never seen this piece before. Quite frankly, I really don't know where to start. Rhythmically, it's basic. However it's extremely technical- a lot of accidentals and chromatics. In your opinion what would be an appropriate tempo to play this at ? Any hints or suggestions ?

Thanks soo much, It is greatly appreciated.

Laurie

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Re: Louis Cahuzac

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-01-04 14:44

Well, "scherzo" is the Italian word for "joke," so you should play fast and lively. "Modere" is French for "moderato," so you shouldn' play too fast -- a joke that's cute rather than snappy.

Cahuzac's own playing was wonderful. He had a sound as big as a house and could toss off the most difficult figures seemingly without effort. Listen to the wonderful CD of his recordings on Dante Lys 366.

The main thing in playing this kind of music is to be like an expert juggler -- the skill is hidden, and everything seems easy. The ornaments have to be played "roundly" and perfectly even, and the phrases always have to go somewhere. You have to toss off the fast stuff with a wink, not a snarl.

At the audition, never play faster than perfect. If you get all the notes, and make them perfectly even, it will sound faster than if you charge through fast and sloppy. That's what the judges look for. Of course, you need to work like a dog to get the notes into your fingers. For some ideas on doing that, see my postings at http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=158256&t=158204 and http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=24907&t=24731.

You'll do best by having fun. If you're worried (and everybody is), you need to give the impression that it's fun.

Good luck. Let us know how you do.

Ken Shaw

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