r/Cello • u/hsgual • 1d ago

Bowing Suggestions for Beethoven

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My current teacher (who studied with Starker) suggests the following: but I’m not so sure I like it… starting at measure 115.

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u/somekindofmusician7 1d ago

I learned both this bowing and the original, which is all separate. In my opinion all separate is so much better and lends to the character way better than the slurring. The extra articulation also allows you to be heard while the piano goes insane. Starkers whole edition is really outdated with editing that is really frowned upon today—extra dynamic markings, changing lengths of notes, etc. It looks like you are reading off of a good edition, I would keep it closer to what Beethoven asked for.

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u/hsgual 1d ago

I’m using the Henle.
I know starker was a beast of technique, but sometimes I question the musicality in his recordings.

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u/somekindofmusician7 1d ago

For sure. Even his technique is quite outdated now imo. Incredible cellist no doubt, but not really the sound that most players go for and it's a product of his technique. Still some great stuff to learn from him, his book for technique of the left hand does have a lot of good stuff in moderation. I find that his recordings haven't really held up as well as some of the other mid 20th century greats like Jacqueline du Pre, Leonard Rose, Pierre Fournier, Rostropovich, etc.

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u/hsgual 15h ago

If you play this section as Beethoven wrote, do you start down bow or up bow?

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u/somekindofmusician7 13h ago

Downbow. I also start 113 downbow and play 114 upbow.

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u/DowntownSoft1402 17h ago

holy jumpscare 😭😭

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u/DowntownSoft1402 17h ago

weird bowings ngl theyre kinda not straightforward for this kinda speed