Concert Repertoire for Violin: Violin & Piano Book

This collection strikes a genuine balance between musical substance and pedagogical thoughtfulness. Cohen selects works that students genuinely want to play, then arranges them with an ear for what intermediate-advanced violinists can actually achieve; the pieces progress in musical and technical demand without feeling like etudes. Pairing familiar classics and beloved salon works with original pieces keeps the repertoire fresh across a full year of study.

A carefully curated recital program captured in one book. You'll move from the elegant restraint of Bach to the sparkle of Badinerie, the warmth of Romantic miniatures, and the rhythmic vitality of character dances, experiencing the full arc of the violin's expressive range without leaving the intermediate-advanced realm. Each piece feels complete and rewarding in itself, yet the collection hangs together as a cohesive musical statement.

Violinists working at grades 4 through 7 who have completed foundational studies and are ready for the concert stage. This book serves students preparing for recitals, festivals, or examination repertoire at the intermediate-advanced level, as well as teachers building a diverse, engaging repertoire library that spans centuries and musical styles.

• Lean into the Baroque pieces (Bach and Vivaldi) for clarity in articulation and phrasing; these arrangements reward clean, deliberate bowing rather than overstated vibrato.
• Use the piano part to anchor rhythmic precision in the more lyrical selections like Grieg's "Solveig's Song" and Paradis's "Sicilienne"; rehearse with your pianist early to establish a shared interpretation.
• Approach the character dances (Brahms, German, Bizet) with rhythmic confidence and personality; these pieces thrive when the violin part sings with conviction rather than restraint.
• In the more virtuosic passages (Badinerie, Hungarian Dance), practice slowly with attention to evenness in scales and broken figures before bringing tempo up to performance speed.

Draw pieces from this collection to create thematic recital programs (a "Baroque Evening" or "Composers in Love" concert pairing Grieg and Elgar), or sprinkle selections throughout the year as students progress toward a spring performance festival. Solo violinists preparing for competitions benefit from the stylistic variety and proven arrangement quality, while teachers can confidently assign pieces knowing they have both musical integrity and appropriate technical scaffolding.

• Stylistic flexibility across Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary idioms
• Phrasing and articulation in period-appropriate contexts (Baroque ornaments, Romantic expressivity)
• Ensemble listening and balance when working with the piano accompaniment
• Sustained vibrato and tonal control in lyrical passages
• Technical security in scale passages and string crossings within musical contexts
• Confidence performing longer, multi-section works for public audiences