Three Concertinos: Violin Book

Accolay's three concertinos deliver Romantic idiom without requiring conservatory-level athleticism. Each work offers genuine musical satisfaction for violinists working at the upper intermediate level, making them ideal for recitals where students need pieces that sound more advanced than they play. The collection also works beautifully as a teaching set, allowing you to progress through related works with complementary musical ideas.

These concertinos breathe with Romantic warmth and lyricism. You'll find soaring melodic lines that invite vocal, singing tone; moderate virtuosity passages that feel stylish rather than showy; and a partnership with the piano that's collaborative rather than subordinate. The music has the elegance of salon writing without any sense of triviality.

This collection suits violinists around Grade 3-4 level (ABRSM equivalent) who are ready to perform substantial concert pieces. Teachers use these works to introduce students to Romantic style and phrasing while reinforcing solid double-stop work, bow control, and interpretive decision-making. They work equally well for upper intermediate students preparing recital programs or for adult returnees seeking rewarding repertoire.

• Balance the melodic line so it sings above the piano part; the violin should always lead the texture in these pieces.
• Attend carefully to the shape of each phrase rather than rushing through technically straightforward passages; Romantic phrasing needs space and direction.
• Coordinate with your pianist on tempo flexibility within sections. Accolay writes in styles that expect some rubato, so establish those moments in rehearsal.
• Use vibrato expressively and consistently throughout. The Romantic style of these works calls for warmth that vibrato provides.

Program all three concertinos across the season to showcase growth, or select individual pieces for separate recitals to avoid length. These work well in mixed-era programs where you're pairing them with contemporary or Baroque works, since their Romantic clarity serves as a distinctive centerpiece. They also fit naturally into themed recitals exploring violin concertante literature.

• Reading and executing double stops with clarity and intonation
• Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer melodic arcs
• Executing basic ornaments (trills, grace notes) with stylistic accuracy
• Collaborating with accompanist on rubato and ensemble balance
• Building Romantic era interpretive skills through melody-driven writing
• Shifting cleanly between positions in a musical context