Date: Sun, 9 Feb 2020 03:02:59 -0800
From: Trevor Wye <Wye@MAIL2WEB.COM>Subject: Mozart Cadenzas
Dear Friends,
May I clarify some points about cadenzas?
The point of a cadenza is to surprise and delight the audience after
they have been charmed by the performance of the movement.
The cadenza does not have to start with the note printed and can either
be played or begun after the orchestra have stopped the 6/4 chord.
In the 18th century, many felt that the cadenza should try to keep a
connection between the 6/4 chord and the dom.7th at the exit to the
cadenza.
Also, this continuity between the two chords should be achieved by
playing phrases which are confined to one or two breaths.
So, a short cadenza. Of course, keyboard and string players can easily
do this, so the cadenzas can be longer.
Most wind players will play a longer one anyway and as this is usually
expected, so why not?
To be practical, the cadenza can be your own or bits copied from others.
It best to avoid well recorded cadenzas by the famous.
Divide up your creation into three parts:
The Entrance: either hold the note printed, continuing after the
orchestra has stopped and write a few sample 'Entrances' of your
own, or start on some note after the orchestra has stopped.
After writing 6 samples or so, write a few possible Exits.
The end of the cadenza does not have to comply with what is printed:
that is just a guide.
You can trill on any note of the chord which seems to fit in, or don't
trill at all!
Finally, write a few Middle Bits: not too many key changes! (see below)
And add a surprise or two.
Finally, play through what you have written and join up an 'Entrance' a
'Middle Bit' and the 'Exit'.
Importantly, it should seem when performed as if you have just made it
up!
Both my my edition and Rachel Brown's of the Mozart Concertos contain
advice on writing your own cadenza.
I hope this helps...
Trevor
PS Many years ago, J-P Rampal told me he had just recorded a CPE Bach
(?) concerto and had used some of Brahms 4
in the cadenza. I haven't heard this. Perhaps others have. That would
have been a surprise!
PPS; Handel was listening to a player in Dublin concert who went though
lots of different keys in his cadenza.
When he reached the final dominant 7th trill, the exasperated Handel
called out, 'Welcome home!'
