Chamber #1 – Elgar Serenade1 – 9/7/23

Rehearsal Reflection

Please post comments about our rehearsal performance:

  • TWO positive comments (these can be general)
  • TWO constructive comments (these must be specific and include measure numbers). You may mention specific sections (cellos, violin 2, etc.).

Please include your FIRST and LAST name when you comment so I can easily assign your grade.

26 comments

  1. 1. Violas had really good articulation of rhythm in the opening measures of the piece.
    2. The orchestra collectively was successful in bringing out the sforzando-diminuendos throughout the piece.
    3. Where section B begins (measures 32-35), cellos were too loud in comparison to other sections, throwing off the orchestra’s balance.
    4. During section H, no section was listening to one another and the rhythms were off. First violins were miscounting the dotted quarter notes in this section.

  2. Overall, the piece from C to D sounds much better. Also, the dynamics from D to E were quite good and made the piece sound dramatic. Overall, instances with a sforzando cannot be heard (do not know for other sections, but measures 20 and 87 for cellos). Measures 107 to 111 sound somewhat messy for the entire orchestra, and notes seem offbeat.

  3. Need more dramatic dynamics in first 6 measures. Work on rhythm at A. Majority of C has good balance. Good style throughout the piece.

  4. 1. Better intonation from the violins from measures 7-11.
    2. In measures 13 and 14, the cellos and the violins aren’t together, but they fix this later on.
    3. From 22 to 29, dynamics are very nice.
    4. In measure 32, the cellos seem to be overpowering the violins.
    5. In C, it would be an improvement if the 1st Violins played slightly louder and for everyone else to play even softer.

  5. 1. Cellos are in tune and together during C-D compared to a week ago.
    2. In the beginning of the piece, all sections are together and sound like one.
    3. No sections are playing the fortepiano markings in 76 and 117.
    4. 119-125 Cellos and Violins have the same rhythms yet are not playing together or in tune.

  6. I feel like the flow of the intro, especially the viola part was very well played. All the instruments sounded well together and I really liked the sound of it.
    At measure 13 or at A we were not very together, in tune, or playing pianissimo. Mostly the transitions between sections were not as clean as they could have been.
    At section D and E we did not sound that confident and I think we could have been a bit more together.
    Overall this song sounds a lot better than it used to, as the intonation and dynamics can be worked on, but it sounds really nice and I can tell what sections people worked on during sectionals

  7. -The dynamics are good, and help with the phrasing well, however, some diminuendos and sforzandos are not present
    -In some spots, we need to do better listening across the orchestra to make the rhythms
    -At B, the intonation needs improvement and better balance
    -The rhythm at 116 is not great
    -At D, most of the shifts sounded really good

  8. 2 positive: The beginning sounded very musically and we ended together smoothly
    2 Negativize: At the start of A we aren’t together and start of B was not in tune

  9. 1. 105 to 112 sounded like everyone was a bit off from each other
    2. The rhythm A was very off and not together
    3. The dynamics were very good
    4. We were very articulate while playing

  10. -Section before A has the best articulation and dynamics
    -Section C has the best balance and improvement
    -Decrescendos at measures 16-17 20-21 cannot be heard
    -Crescendo at measures 83-85 should be less sudden

  11. 1. The violas intro was excellent.
    2. The basses and cellos killed the pizz in part A.
    3. The bases need to work on the rhythm of measures 73-85.
    4.The bases also need to fix the rhythm of measures 128-131.

  12. The cellos and basses plucked with each other fantastically. We also played the dynamics right though. I think the violins and violas need to support each other during the beginning cause I can hear the violas falling behind the tempo. And some weren’t playing even their music.

  13. 1. The dynamics were great!
    2. Violin intonation was pretty good, also they sounded like they really knew their part well.
    3. Cello intonation started off pretty decent in the beginning at measure one but then it started going downhill especially past measure 15.
    4. In 107-111 and a few other spots everyone was just off and not in sync so we need to do a better job looking up and being together so it doesn’t sound all over the place.

  14. 1. Dynamics throughout the piece are good, especially with the sforzandos.
    2. The overall style and effect of the piece were really good. It felt dramatic and the rhythms throughout most of it were kept together

    1. The timing of the syncopation of section C for violas, and when second violins get it after us could be better
    2. H to end could definitely use some work across the board

  15. The first measures of serenade have good dynamics. But they are not very well in tune. 119-125 from the cellos needs rhythm and intonation. The dynamics and rhythm of the ending are good.

  16. positive comment 1- hairpins are overall well done
    positive comment 2- violas have really good articulation in the opening
    constructive comment 1- the rhythm, blend, and intonation throughout the whole orchestra is off at H.
    constructive comment 2- first violins and violas have trouble starting and staying together during the eighth notes at A

  17. *I think that the dynamics are mostly really well developed throughout the piece.
    *For the most part, the rhythm and counting was precise. The sections were together and there wasn’t a lot of noticable seperation within or across sections.
    *First violins need to agree on pitches in the high sections (D-G). It sounds like people are playing slightly different pitches from one another. The intonation could improve.
    *Another thing that I noticed is tht at 42, the viola section played that exposed line agressively for some reason. It interrupted the progression of the piece and it would sound much more integrated if it matched what everyone else is doing.

  18. 1. Violas do a good job in the beginning with dynamic, articulation, and sounding very clear.
    2. Our tone is nice and sweet and our rhythm is good. we doing a good job at staying together.
    1. We have trouble staying together at measure 17 and we are to loud at measure 21. There are a few areas we have blending problems.
    2. There are too many areas that are too loud. Intonation can be worked on. There’s some hesitation for first violins at the beginning, F, and 116. We struggle to stay together and keep that sweet tone through H.

  19. 1. Lower strings could play out a little more (I might be a little biased because Im a cello but I think that there are parts where the lower strings should be more pronounced.)

    2. Cello intonation at 120 could be improved. Also the blending of the sections at this point could be improved.

    1. The dynamics are great. All sections are aware of and exaggerating the dynamics which makes it sound great.

    2. The style of which the piece is played is great. I enjoyed listening to the Romantic era style of music.

  20. 1. Dynamics were strongly represented throughout the piece
    2. The violas delivered a strong start to the piece
    3. The violins sounded unsure in notes or rhythms in measures 70-85
    4. The violins and violas weren’t together at A

  21. 1~ violas we’re good with intonation in the beginning measures
    2~ solo was really good
    3~ some sections sounded off in the measures around c especially around 49-56
    4~ could work on intonation/timing for everyone towards the end. it just sounded super muddy coming off of measure 105

  22. Overall the articulation has gotten much better and the longer half notes are much better, there are more dynamics and they give motion to the piece. At H, the second violins and violas didn’t seem together, it sounded a little muddy on the articulation and measures 70-82 sounded unbalanced in the dynamics and a little out of tune. The cellos and violas were too loud while the first violins sounded timid and unsure.

  23. 1. Each section played their intro to the piece in tune and together.
    2 We were able to come in confidently in measure 92 with the recurring melody.
    3 Sometimes sections come in too strong and it drowns out the main part like around measure 29.
    4. The final part of the piece was a bit messy with rhythms, starting around measure 116.

  24. 1. Great dynamics at letter A
    2. Intonation in the lower strings at 42 needs improvement.
    3. Intonation at 70 is pretty good with a great balance with the whole orchestra.
    4. We need more dramatic dynamics at 86.

  25. We have most of the notes down and the dynamics were really good at the beginning. On measures 12-13 we need to make sure that the eighth notes don’t sound scattered. During the first chair solo, I’m not sure which instrument is playing but the notes in the background aren’t in tune or together so we could fix that aswell.

  26. -The articulation and the dynamics through the entire piece were great.
    -The piece flower together nicely with a nice balance from each section.
    -Throughout section E, violas and second violins are rushing.
    -In section H, the entire orchestra are not together and first violins are rushing.

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