Kreisler,F. - Grave

Originally written by the legendary violin virtuoso Fritz Kreisler, Grave in the Style of W.F. Bach is another brilliant entry in his famous "Classical Manuscripts" collection. When first published in the early 20th century, Kreisler attributed this solemn work to Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (J.S. Bach's eldest son) to give it a sense of historical gravitas, before admitting in 1935 that the piece was entirely his own. Presented here in an elegant arrangement for viola and piano, the Grave lives up to its name with a deeply serious, dramatic, and introspective character. It captures the raw emotional intensity of the Empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style) associated with W.F. Bach, utilizing striking harmonic suspensions, dramatic pauses, and a heavy, unfolding narrative that perfectly suits the rich, dark lower register of the viola. Educational Value This arrangement is a phenomenal pedagogical selection for intermediate to advanced violists, offering profound opportunities to develop tonal maturity, bow control, and musical expression: Sustained Bowing and Tone Production: The slow, solemn tempo (Grave) forces students to master the art of the slow bow. It requires precise control over bow speed, sounding point, and weight to maintain a seamless, resonant tone without scratching or fading out over long note values. Intonation and Expressive Shifting: The piece features intense, chromatic harmonies and expressive intervals that demand highly accurate finger placement. Navigating these shifts smoothly allows the student to practice sliding with expressive intention (portamento) where appropriate, without disrupting the classical framework. Managing Suspensions and Harmonic Tension: Musically, the piece relies heavily on tension and release through musical suspensions. Violists will learn how to lean into dissonant notes with a bit more bow weight and vibrato, and then ease off as the harmony resolves, teaching them how to shape a phrase harmonically. Subtle Vibrato Control: Because the piece is an early 20th-century take on a late-Baroque/Early-Classical aesthetic, it serves as an excellent canvas for teaching varied vibrato. Students must learn to move away from a continuous, wide Romantic vibrato and instead use a disciplined, varied shimmer to highlight specific emotional peaks.