Solo Performer Series, Volume 1: Viola & Piano Book

Opening these pages, you meet the familiar warmth of Dvořák and Grieg, but arranged to sit comfortably in the viola's voice. The accompaniments are elegant and uncluttered, allowing the instrument's darker registers to anchor the music with a richness those original orchestrations hinted at but never quite isolated.

Violists preparing solo recital material at the intermediate to advanced level, whether for academic settings, competitions, or community performances. This collection serves students and professionals seeking substantial arrangements of beloved classical works without the complexity of full-scale concerto or sonata literature.

• Balance the viola line with the piano part by having your accompanist practice listening to the viola rather than leading; the viola should never feel like it's chasing the keyboard.
• Give yourself time to voice the lyrical passages in these arrangements. Orlandi's Winter excerpt and the Largo from Xerxes both reward singing tone and a patient approach to phrasing.
• Use the contrasting character pieces (Anitra's Dance, The Prince and the Princess) to explore color and dynamic shaping; these middle works keep recital energy up between the slower movements.

Build a recital around this volume by pairing the Four Seasons movements as anchors (Winter and Autumn create a coherent environmental arc), using Anitra's Dance and Scheherazade selections as lighter interludes. This collection works particularly well for church or chamber concert contexts where a solo string performance can draw a focused audience.

• Sustaining lyrical lines across longer phrase structures
• Collaborative balance and communication with keyboard accompaniment
• Expressive interpretation of well-known melodies in a new context
• Navigating varied tempos and moods within a single recital program