No. 14.
It is an erroneous idea that those outside of the French school sometimes entertain concerning the nobility of tone of that school. In cantabile work, tone-color and proportion are sought and obtained. Brilliancy, vivacity, and piquancy belong to the French temperament, but depth, dignity, and nobility are possible, even in a Frenchman. Hence it is that such exponents of the French school as Thibaut, Kreisler, and Marteau play an Adagio with beauty and nobility. The German school, while essentially lacking in versatility, lightness, and elegance, as compared with the French, excels only in breadth of tone, purity, and dignity. It is absurd in these days of constant comparison between schools, considering the frequent study of great artists in several Continental schools, to assume that any one of them has the only legitimate interpretation of the classics. The French-school artist plays Corelli and Tartini with more poetry and varied tone-color than the German-school artist, giving to all the classics of that period more modernity and consequent beauty than they ever possessed in their time. Again, the present use of the vibrato gives warmth to any classic. I speak of these things because one can learn to play the Adagios of Fiorillo and Rode in Paris.
In connection with this étude, played largely on the G string, it would be well for the student to study such works as the Raff “Cavatina,” the Bach “G String Air,” an Air from a “Suite” by Johann Mattheson, and other works which will give one perfect freedom in the higher positions on one string. The G string has always been a favorite one for beautiful slow movements of Concertos. Both Bach and Paganini realized its possibilities. Possibly the student holds the neck of the violin too tightly with the thumb. The latter must be ready to move quickly into any position, the fingers being well arched in the very high positions. A perfect command of the legato and fine discrimination in the use of the portamento are desirable. One should avoid sliding up and down the strings when the phrasing does not demand the portamento. Do not hurry the movement. Pause between phrases to give added dignity. In playing very high on the string, do not press upon the strings too heavily with the bow, as the length of string is now so short that additional pressure gives a rasping tone. Practice the crescendo. Economize space in long bowing. Do not allow the fingers to leave the strings at such points.
A perfect legato can only be obtained when the fingers and bow are in perfect sympathy. A somewhat dignified trill is necessary. Maintain the proper tempo. In the last line preserve the legato even if the grace notes seem to disturb it. At the close begin the trill slowly; then increase the rate. If the student fails in the command of the higher positions, use the Halir studies daily. Freedom will soon be secured.