Creating a cadenca (Boccherini Concerto No 3 in G Maj)?

Question

I need to create a cadenza (A virtuoso passage inserted near the end of a concerto movement) for cello for the first part of Boccherini Concerto No 3 in G Maj (Allegro, starting at measure 98 in my score). It must be different from the cadenzas given in the editions. I´m a little bit dumbstruck how to start that task. Is there kind of a standard procedure to do so? How do you start that sort of thing? Do you know of a tutorial for creating such virtuoso passages? Any help to overcome my inhibition would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Yes you can use chords to start with and when possible arpeggios in 3 or 4 octives , scales or double stops . This all combined with a good taste would create a virtuaso cadenza . Listen to other cadenzas and try writing it many times . Thats how you learn .

Answer 2

Ooh this is a tough question. There are two ways to go about making a cadenza: the first is to try to replicate a passage that would have been improvised during Boccherini's time. The other is to take a more original approach and go crazy! Both approaches involve bringing back thematic material presented earlier in the work while showing off your virtuosic chops (ex. fast scales, double stops, harmonics, chords, trills, etc) however if you want it to sound like authentic boccherini, you have to avoid using more modern harmonies and techniques like ponticello. I recommend listening to recordings of great cellist such as Rostropovich and see what he did for his cadenzas. https://youtu.be/n54t5esCT_g . Modern violinist, Patricia Kopatchinskaja, is famous for her wild and original cadenzas that she adds to classic works. Check out her beethoven violin concerto cadenza for inspiration: https://youtu.be/xr9KmgDFwMc. Good Luck! The art of improvisation is one that has been unfortunately lost in the world of classical music and I'm excited to see younger artists trying to bring it back.