Goltermann Alla Pollacca Op 48 No 4 for Cello and Piano

Goltermann: Alla Pollacca, Op. 48 No. 4 — New Edition (Cello and Piano)

Goltermann's Alla Pollacca is the final and most celebrated movement of his 4 Morceaux caractéristiques, Op. 48. It's a Polonaise in character: a stately Polish dance in triple time with a distinctive rhythmic pattern that runs through the whole piece, and the technical challenge is as much about maintaining that dance character as managing the specific demands on each hand.

At Grade 8, the primary bowing demands are a clean martelé stroke to keep the Polacca rhythm crisp and springy throughout, and a controlled spiccato in the faster passages. The dance feeling depends entirely on the right hand; anything heavy or approximate in the bow loses the style immediately. In the left hand, the shifts are nimble rather than heroic, moving between the lower positions and the middle register (4th through 7th) with frequency. There are occasional double stops that need careful intonation to preserve the brilliant A major character of the piece, and the Polish dance style calls for quick, relaxed ornaments — mordents and grace notes — delivered without any tension in the hand.

At five to six minutes, it's a well-proportioned piece: long enough to make a proper impression, short enough to fit neatly into an examination programme or a mixed recital.

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Solo Cello and Piano
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 8 (cello)
• Duration: approximately 5–6 minutes
• Style focus: martelé and spiccato, Polacca rhythm, nimble position shifts, ornaments, double stops
• Format: PDF download, full score and separate cello part

This suits Grade 8 cellists preparing for examinations or recitals where something characterful and dance-inspired is wanted alongside more substantial repertoire. It also works well for diploma programmes where a shorter, lighter piece is needed to balance a concerto movement. Teachers will find it a useful vehicle for refining bow articulation and left-hand ornament technique in a genuinely musical context.