Product Description
Embarking on a journey to the open sea is already challenging per se, but going headfirst when you know the task ahead is far greater than anything you have faced before requires a considerable dose of recklessness.
The Violoncello School, Op. 65, by Justus Johann Friedrich Dotzauer (17831860), published in 1824, is much more than a stormy sea or an iceberg on a chilly night: it is a gargantuan, mythological creature from a forgotten past. It comprises over 150 pages of technical text adorned with musical examples and two appendices, the first containing 63 scales and exercises not requiring the thumb position, and the second containing 24 duets and exercises requiring the thumb.
Already when it was published over 200 years ago, it proved to be both the most incredible work of its kind and a mastodontic title with a matching price! This convinced me to approach this work from a different perspectivenamely, by splitting it into smaller, more manageable units.
The publishing plan, to be completed between August and December 2025, will therefore comprise:
- the full textual part by itself, exclusively as an electronic publication (ASE 0092);
- the first appendix by itselfthis publication! (ASE 0104);
- the second appendix by itself (ASE 0106);
- an extract of only the scales from the first appendix (ASE 0110);
- a premium edition, exclusively available in print format, containing all of these together!
The present publication includes the first appendix of the Violoncello School, which comprises 63 scales and exercises in all keys. The scales span two octaves and are often offered with two sets of fingeringsone employing open strings and one avoiding them. The initial 13 exercises serve as a sort of blueprint for practising all other scales and should be applied diligently in each key. Following these are 50 duets for two cellostwo for each key (with a bonus one each for G major and D minor).
The full score (72 pages) is faithful to Dotzauers original markings, adding editorial annotations only when absolutely necessary. It is playable as is, without the need for extra photocopies, as the page turns are perfectly arranged. The two separate parts (36 and 20 pages respectively) include personal suggestions on both bowings and fingerings. Dotzauer was quite sparing with his annotations, possibly because everything was crystal clear to him. Certain duets, however, were almost unplayable without additional guidance. A set of clean parts will also be made available in digital format.
These duets, while using only the first five positions (with occasional, rare incursions into the sixth), are extremely well written and will prove a valuable companion for any student. Teachers who want their students to practise specific keys will find a treasure trove in this edition, as they can assign only specific studies clearly classified by key.
The Editorial Notes section at the beginning of the book contains the history of the original work, the hunt for its sources, and, dulcis in fundo, a detailed analysis of each duet, making this edition an unmissable item in every cellists collection. The Critical Notes section at the end explains every single decision takes during the editing process.
This edition opens a new chapter in our editorial journey, one dedicated to the cello schools that have shaped our instruments history! Stay tuned for the next chapters, as I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed!
Enjoy all 5 promotional videos:
- No 22: https://youtu.be/1T4ucub7Cxo
- No 26: https://youtu.be/yivJTEBwJVM
- No 28: https://youtu.be/zQNsiwvFLjM
- No 30: https://youtu.be/38NLXEIzU0w
- No 47: https://youtu.be/rRUhTA-c5EA
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.