Degree

Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)

Department

LSU School of Music

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

This written document focuses on a personal pedagogical analysis of the Twelve Caprices composed by the French cellist and pedagogue, Auguste Franchomme. His works have served as significant cello studies for young cellists, comparable in importance to the Twelve Caprices by Carlo Alfredo Piatti and the High School of Cello Playing by David Popper. Each of these caprices is written in different key signatures, tempi, include a variety of bowing styles and techniques, express melodies over a wide range of the cello register, and present unique and ubiquitous issues that cellists may encounter in the canon of cello literature.

In addition, the development of cello technique in the past differed significantly from that of the present day. This project also aims to provide alternative solutions for overcoming technical challenges faced by cellists with petite builds or smaller hand sizes such as myself, especially since these studies are usually tackled by younger musicians with small hands.

I endeavor to present an in-depth analysis of Auguste Franchomme’s Twelve Caprices enabling cellists to develop a better understanding of how to utilize their body’s strength effectively, locate foreign and new positions, create sounds (both connected and disconnected) in the hope that ultimately my suggestions may foster self-reliance when addressing potential technical challenges in future learning.

Date

5-5-2025

Committee Chair

Parker, Dennis.

Download

Share

COinS