Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) wrote his Symphony No.1 in D major, op. 25, commonly known as Classical in 1916-1917.  Its four movements are 1. Allegro, 2. Larghetto, 3. Gavotte: Non Troppo Allegro and 4. Finale: Molto Vivace.

Excerpts from this symphony are very often part of the required repertoire for orchestral auditions. In particular, passages from the Finale, due to its fast tempo and technical difficulty. Extracts from the Larghetto are common as well, where rhythmic accuracy, a clear tone and good intonation in the third register are indispensable.

The tempo marking for the fourth movement - Finale is Half Note = 152. I recommend though, that you practice the following passages at faster tempos as well, since overexcited conductors tend to take this movement quite fast.

1 - The passage starting at letter K is the most common excerpt from the 4th movement. Although it's entirely possible to play it with regular fingerings (but borderline masochistic), it's advisable to use alternative fingerings.

The first option below uses an alternative fingering for A3, which facilitates A3 to B3 and B3 to A3.

B3  

A3  

F#3

D3  

The second option below, which is more widely used, utilizes an alternative fingering for A3, and harmonics for F#3 and D3.

B3  

A3  

F#3

D3  

The last arpeggio of this excerpt is facilitated by playing all the notes starting at 4 measures after L with the pinky of the right hand depressing the low C key. Thus avoiding moving the pinky to low C for C#4 and D4. Alternatively, you can start depressing the low C key after the F#2, 8 measures after L.

NOTE: the passage starting 4 measures after L is identical to that starting at 4 measures after A.

The following 2 excerpts are perfectly feasible with regular fingerings, but some alternative fingerings make the passages easier, more fluid and help convey the right tone color.

2 - 7 measures after B to 7 measures after C.

I suggest depressing the right hand low C key throughout this passage. This helps smooth out both G3 and F3 when played softly.

Starting at letter C and for 4 measures I use the following fingering for the D3 eighth note.

D3 

NOTE: You can obtain D3 by fingering G3 and combining any one right hand finger with either trill key. Try it, and see which fingering sounds better in tune on your flute.

In the second flute part, 1 measure before letter C, you may use the following fingering for F#3, which unlike other fingerings, sounds fine with the Thumb-Bb depressed.

F#3 

3 - 7 measures after M to 7 measures after N

For this passage I use once again my right hand pinky on the low C, which helps F3. Starting at 4 measures before letter N, I suggest using the following fingering for E3 if that note doesn't speak readily:

E3 

4 - The end of the movement also benefits from setting the pinky on the low C key.

Try this fingering for C#4 in the D major runs:

 C#4 


Second Movement - Larghetto

Try the following fingerings:

A3  

F#3

or

F#3


First Movement - Allegro

Although this passage is usually not required for auditions, it should be practiced as well.

Once again, setting your right hand pinky on the low C for the last 2 measures of this movement makes it easier and more fluid, since you won't have to slide your pinky from the Eb key to the C key for A3 to D4.

 

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