After recording the Troika dance from the wedding scene in The Deer Hunter, Ginny asked whether I would fancy playing the Cavatina from that movie. I had a quick look for transcriptions that might work for me, and found this nice lead sheet for violin with guitar/piano chords from Musescore: https://musescore.com/user/29944739/scores/5849131 No dynamic marks, so I listened to John Williams and a few Youtube versions for tempo and dynamics, and to get the tune in my head. This version is in A Major, and is entirely in first position in that key. Tenor guitar arpeggio backing, with some simplified chords (I'm not attempting an A11 chord on four strings!). 1898 Giuseppe Vinaccia mandolin Vintage Viaten tenor guitar Martin
Thank you, Martin. I love how you have played this, it sounds very emotive with dynamics and grace. I may have to try this in the future. But I sure can't tremolo like that!
Sounds fine, even without an A11 chord. Geat tremolo as usual, Martin.
Thanks, Christian and Ginny (also for your comments on Youtube). This is fun to play, and in this key it transfers pretty well to mandolin. The lead sheet from Musescore is useful, but it needs checking against recorded examples to get the phrasing right. Martin
That’s a beautiful sounding delivery, Martin. Your arpeggio accompaniment on tenor guitar works great to support the melody.
I have tried to make it sound less guitarist, as it is famous, and also that it sounded more like a whisper... sorry for these decisions. the backing track is thanks to Biab...
I really love this, Jairo. Very sensual and emotional - I would have been sobbing why playing...
Ginny, the movie Deer Hunter is one of the few in which I have sketched a sob ...
I like both of your versions... very nice!
Jairo, a lovely version with your well-controlled tremolo. Good backing from Band-in-a-Box too.
Thanks John and ladies!
Thanks, Jairo -- that sounds very nice! Also thanks to Frithjof and Kay -- glad you liked my interpretation. The tenor guitar arpeggios did need some work to fit the way I have played the melody, but it worked out in the end. Martin