CHASE

The frequent use of harmonics and open strings in the melody demonstrates that David envisaged it to be played basically without vibrato. As his Violinschule (p. 43) states: The vibrato may be made slowly as well as quickly, but must not be employed too frequently nor without sufficient reason.'('Man muss die Bebung langsam und schnell machen können, jedoch hüte man sich vor zu häufigem und unmotiviertem Gebrauche.')

Portamento is clearly indicated by fingerings such as these. It is highly probably also that the slurred pairs would have been expected to be performed with a degree of inequality, somewhat lengthening the note at the beginning of the slur and shortening the following note.

The downward shifts would certainly have been expected to be accompanied by portamento.

This succession of consecutive 2nd fingers (implying a very connected legato with audible portamento) is characteristic of David.

The alternation of these two forms of notation is similar to writing in the Octet. It seems clearly to indicate a lighter off-string (springing) bowstroke followed by a firmer on-string staccato.