Analysis of Performance Techniques in the First Movement of Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major

Abstract

This paper takes the first movement of Franz Joseph Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major (Hob. VIIb:1) as the research object and analyzes its playing technique and musical performance in depth. As one of the founders of the Viennese Classical School, Haydn's musical style combines the counterpoint and polyphony of Baroque music and is known for its rigorous structure, beautiful melody, and simple and clear harmony. This article summarizes the compositional background of the concerto, pointing out that it was composed during the period when Haydn was employed by the Esterhazy family, and was dedicated to the court cellist Josef Weigl, combining showmanship and singing. Then he analyzes its musical characteristics from three aspects: structure, melody, and harmony, pointing out that it adopts the typical three-movement structure of classicism, with a natural and symmetrical melody that is full of singing, and a harmony that is mainly functional and logical. Finally, the structure of the first movement is analyzed in detail, and the playing techniques of each part, such as bow running, string changing, finger trembling, and handle changing, are discussed. It provides technical references for performers.