Dvorak ‘treble clef’ conversion kit

I have just been asked for this by two cellist friends, who plan to play Dvorak’s ‘American’ quartet Op 96  (recommended, by the way !).

It was common practice for 19th century composers to use the treble clef for cello passages in the high register, intending them to be played an octave lower.  While these passages have been transcribed to tenor clef in Beethoven, for example, this false treble notation (dubbed “trouble clef” by a friend who is an amateur cellist) persists in much of Dvorák’s chamber music.  We realize that there is some reasonable doubt about the meaning of the notation in Dvorak, but the common performance practice is to play these sections down an octave.  This kit allows you to replace the false treble clef with tenor clef, or true treble clef where necessary.

Download and print out the part you need.  You will find that it is set out to neatly overlay the original part, literally ‘cut & paste’.

With acknowledgement to ACMP – Associated Chamber Music Players

Here is the link

STOP PRESS.  Our orchestra is working on Dvorak Symphony No 7.  There is some treble clef in the cello part – here is the link to a complete part with the treble clef removed.  Saves all that cutting and pasting – and the head scratching !