Solos for Young Violists Viola Part and Piano Acc., Volume 2: Viola Book

Barber has assembled a collection that respects the viola's lyrical voice while avoiding the trap of oversimplified writing. These pieces offer real musical substance: you'll find character and style diversity across the pages, not filler. The graded progression and recorded accompaniments make this series one of the most practical resources for building a student's solo repertoire from the ground up.

Opening this book, you'll encounter genuine compositions with melodic substance and emotional arc. The writing sits comfortably on the viola; the pieces breathe naturally and reward careful listening. You're exploring music that has proven itself as a bridge to the major viola repertoire, not merely filling time on a practice schedule.

This volume serves violists who have moved beyond beginner exercises and are ready for substantial solo literature with accompaniment. Whether you're preparing recital pieces, competing in festivals, or simply expanding your musical range, this book offers thoughtfully selected works that fit that stage of development.

• Listen through the recorded accompaniment before rehearsing with your teacher or pianist. Hearing how the piece breathes and where the accompaniment leads will shape your phrasing from the start.
• Work on intonation in the higher positions early. Many of these pieces move through multiple registers, and locking in pitch in less familiar positions prevents bad habits from settling in.
• Pay attention to style markings and articulation slurs. The variety across this volume means each piece has its own character; respecting those details is what transforms a competent reading into a compelling performance.
• Use the recorded piano part as a practice tool for consistency with tempo and phrasing, but don't let it dictate your interpretation. The best performances happen when you know the accompaniment well enough to lead through it.

Select individual pieces from this volume for student recitals throughout the year, spacing them to allow for meaningful practice time. Festival and competition seasons benefit especially from this collection, which includes Federation Festivals selections. You can also sequence pieces across the series over multiple years to build a coherent curriculum of solo technique and repertoire literacy.

• Reading across all four viola clef positions with fluency
• Playing with accompaniment and responding to harmonic support
• Sustaining long phrases with consistent tone and intonation
• Stylistic interpretation across baroque, classical, romantic, and contemporary idioms
• Balancing technical passages with lyrical passages within a single work