Your favorite viola music?

If you could please reccommed songs, composers, and places to get free online sheet music for the viola.

Your favorite viola music?
There is a ton of solo viola music! I tour with a violist and have almost covered all of the repertoire. Sure the viola doesn't have the same amount of pieces say a violin has but the music written for viola (often transcribed from another instrument) are wonderful!





Brahms - Op. 120 - originally for clarinet, both sonatas can be performed by viola because the range of the instruments is the same. Its Brahms, enough said! I love the counterpoint in both pieces and the romanticism infused in this neo-classical set.





Mozart - Sinfonia Concertante - Duo concerto for violin and viola. A wonderful piece where the viola part is trickier than the violin. A great show piece that has a lot of flair but also the charm of Mozart





Beethoven - Two Romanzes for Viola and Piano - We like to use this as fillers. 10 minutes in total and the viola is treated like a singer! Sweeping melodies that are expansive and romantic. The piano is simply accompaniment whie the the viola soars all over the register!





Schumann - Marchenbilder Vier Stucke fur Viola und Klavier Op. 113


A very difficult piece but a lot of fun to perform. The ensemble between the two instruments is terribly difficult to line up. There are ridiculous tempo and rhythmic difficulties but a passionate and dramatic piece. This piece evokes a lot of various human emotions - particularly energy! The slow movement is lyrical and sublime and the overall piece demonstrates Schumann's quirkiness or should I say his mental issues! LOL





Andante E Rondo Ungarese fur Viola und Klavier by Weber


A show piece for viola! People who say the viola is not a virtuoso instrument need to hear this piece. The technical demands for this piece are awesome! All I can say is fireworks and bravura! As the pianist, I often marveled as my violist played this piece. With all the technical wizardry, there is still the aspect of freedom and expression known in Weber's music.





Schubert - Arpeggionne


Originally written for a bowed guitar like instrument, this piece is now most often played by cello and then viola. No matter whom I work this piece with, my violist or a cellist, the piece is awesome! Two instruments, two different tones and styles of playing. It works very well with viola! Another virtuosic work that is only made much more difficult with the amount of rubato!





Bach - 3 Gamba Sonatas


Originally composed for viol da gamba, these pieces are standards in the viola repertoire. The counterpoint between viola and piano are very interesting. Like all of Bach's music the movements are all baroque dances and require careful articulation, clarity and rhythmic motion.





There are other significant pieces! Sonatas by Hindemith, Shostakovich and a recent work by Heather Schmidt. There are also a bunch of small filler pieces but the ones listed above are the standards!
Reply:I have a ton of it. I HATED the viola.





All the viola is...is... a "bass fiddle".
Reply:Viola Resources


http://beststudentviolins.com/violas.htm...
Reply:"Fantasia on an Original Theme" by Phillips, Joseph J. is an oriental inspired piece that has a great solo for the viola!





P.S. I love the viola! Thanks for showing interest in this unique instrument. I admire its mellow tone.





=]





For free viola pieces, check out:


www.8notes.com


http://www.viola-in-music.com/free_class...
Reply:www.tapartoche.com
Reply:I'm not a particular fan of the viola; it always seems to have to play a harmony role, in most orchestral music. And I don't believe very much solo music has been written for it. Off the top of my head, I don't know of any.





Having read a lot about classical music, the only section that I can recall of a famous piece where it stands out, is the "Baccanale" from Richard Wagner's opera "Tannhauser". Oh, just remembered: Hector Berlioz wrote a piece entitled "Harold in Italy"; very prominent solos for the viola. Good piece of music, too.





If there is a local college or university located where you live, check with their music department.





Or, if you have a good public library, the better ones have what is called "miniature" scores: complete orchestral and opera scores. You might check with them.





Good luck,





Alberich
Reply:I like Telemann's viola concerto. It's nice. =)