If anyone knows the techicalities of this piece (Grade 8 violin 2012) I need some help!

At the beginning, is the the first note (tenuto D), meant to be played as an open string or as second finger on g string? On the g I find it hard to shift smoothly, but wonder if vibrato is needed for the style. When this note returns to start the phrase again, it is slurred to a d (I'm in 3rd at this point). I think that indicates it should be open because otherwise there would be a really awkward string crossing. Also on the CD recording it sounds like an open all three times the note is played in the intro section.

Hope this makes sense! Please help.

Edit: Sorry, spelt 'Schindler's' wrong in title but can't edit it out...

Perlman does it as open Ds - it was written for him to play so I'd follow his lead if I were you

Open vs. stopped is a matter of choice. The resonance of the open string can be effective for drawing the listener in, whereas you're right that vibrato can do the same thing.

However, I definitely think you should avoid the A string until the G in bar 8, and go up higher on the D for the darkness of timbre, with some audibile shifting not being inappropriate for the style. On the soundtrack recording (easy to find on Youtube), Perlman starts on the G string and shifts up, but not even the dedicatee's performance is gospel, and the ABRSM CDs certainly aren't! My preference would be starting on 2, shifting to a 3 on the second note, and maybe use an open D in bar 6 for contrast.


Huh? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TXq4kNbU8E (He does use open D quavers, though)