[No. 6.] Sadko. Symphonic tableau 12.—Muted violas. A short dance theme, piano in D♭ major. (The same theme in Eng. horn in the 6th scene of the opera Sadko is slightly more penetrating in tone).
c) Violoncellos.
Violoncellos, representing the tenor-bass range + an extra-high compass are more often entrusted with tense passionate cantabile melody than with distinctive figures or rapid phrases. Such melodies are usually laid out for the top string (A) which possesses a wonderfully rich "chest" quality.
Examples:
Antar 56. Cantabile on the A string.
Antar 63. The same melody in D♭ maj. on the D string (doubled by the bassoons).
[No. 7.] Pan Voyevoda 134, nocturne, "Moonlight". A broad melody dolce ed espressivo, afterwards doubled by the first violins an octave higher.
[No. 8.] Snegourotchka 231. At the fifth bar, a melody on the A string cantabile ed espressivo, imitating the first clarinet.
[No. 9.] Snegourotchka 274. Melodic phrase with embellishments.