Below are performances by the world-renowned Hilary Hahn and Gidon Kremer. Can you identify any differences in their individual versions/ interpretations?

Here are some helpful tips for playing this piece from Zlata Brouwer.

Technique:

This piece requires good string crossing technique. Check out our technique page for tips!

Structure:

How would you describe the 'structure' of this music? Have a look here for a guide to musical structure. This will be useful information for you to know for your Grade 7 aural test.

Listening:

• 'Gigue' is the last movement in this solo Partita in E major. Listen to the whole work here by another famous master violinist Itzhak Perlman.

Violin-only performance

• What is a 'serenade'? How would you describe the mood of this piece? How does it make you feel and what in the music makes you feel this way? Think of dynamics, tempo, articulation etc.

• Technique:

You need to use 'portato' bowing technique for this piece (see bar 66). On this page you will find a tutorial to help you with 'portato'.

• Cassado was a Spanish cellist and composer and this piece was originally written for cello and piano. Have a listen to these two versions of the original piece.

• There are lots of different versions/arrangements of this piece. To give you an idea of the main theme and feel of the piece, look at this spirited performance by 8 year old Leia Zhu.

Here's the original version written by Mussorgsky for orchestra

The Gopak or Hopak is a national dance from Ukraine featuring lots spins and leaps into the air. Check out this dance troupe's high-energy performance! Can you recreate that energy in your playing?