Viola Concerto (Full Score): Full Score

Chihara's viola concerto sits firmly in the contemporary repertoire without demanding extreme virtuosity or experimental techniques that alienate student musicians. The orchestration balances the solo line with genuine ensemble writing, giving string orchestras real work to do rather than relegating them to accompaniment duty. For programs seeking a 20th-century concerto that sounds modern yet remains performable by developing orchestras, this is a natural choice.

The piece inhabits a tonal world that feels urgent and lyrical by turns, with the solo viola weaving through textures both transparent and densely woven. Chihara's orchestration creates moments of intimate dialogue between soloist and ensemble before opening into broader, more resonant passages. The overall effect is contemplative but energized, avoiding both nostalgia and pure abstraction.

String orchestra directors programming contemporary music and seeking a vehicle that showcases an advanced student violist. This work suits orchestras with established playing technique and the ability to handle modern harmonic writing. It appeals to musicians and audiences interested in living composers and 21st-century chamber orchestration.

• Prepare the string orchestra sections independently before adding the soloist; the ensemble voicing rewards clarity and precision in its own right.
• Work with your solo violist on the balance between projection and blend; Chihara's score suggests moments of integration rather than constant prominence.
• Map the harmonic language with both soloist and ensemble so everyone understands the tonal center at each structural moment.
• Use the 82-page score strategically in rehearsal, sectioning by rehearsal marks or key structural points rather than attempting full run-throughs early.

Feature this in a concert dedicated to contemporary American composers or as a centerpiece for a program exploring the viola's role in modern chamber orchestra writing. The substantial page count and solo vehicle make it substantial enough to justify its own rehearsal block in the season. Program it alongside other Peters Contemporary Library works to establish a coherent artistic statement.

• Reading and performing contemporary harmonic language (post-tonal contexts)
• Balance and blend as an ensemble supporting a solo line
• Ensemble intonation in chromatic and modal passages
• Interpreting modern notation and articulation markings
• Coordinate conducting and ensemble response to a featured soloist