ViolaFest, Volume 2: Viola Book

Volume 2 delivers substantial material for advanced violists without feeling like a technical etude book. Martin writes with genuine affection for the viola's voice, crafting pieces that sound musical across all registers while still respecting the instrument's particular strengths. The progression from Volume 1 means your students have a clear trajectory, and the variety of ensemble formats (duets, trios, quartets) lets you build chamber experience within a single resource.

These pieces breathe with the intimacy of chamber music. Martin balances energetic passages with moments of genuine lyrical space, letting the viola sing without pretense. There's a crafted quality throughout; nothing feels accidental or merely functional.

Advanced violists ready to explore chamber ensemble work, and teachers building a comprehensive ensemble library for their studio or school program. This volume also serves conductors looking for challenging but rewarding repertoire that showcases the viola's expressive range.

• Balance the viola's natural warmth against the temptation to overshadow it; these pieces ask for transparency in texture, especially in trio and quartet settings where each voice matters.
• Listen across the ensemble during rehearsal rather than locking onto your own part; Martin's writing often uses shared motivic material that requires active listening from all players.
• Treat the dynamic markings as shaping devices rather than absolute levels; they guide phrasing more than volume, which helps preserve blend when you're working with mixed abilities.

Schedule these as chamber recital material throughout the year, rotating which ensembles perform at student showcase concerts. The 80-page collection spans enough variety that you can pull different combinations for different performance contexts without exhausting the book's appeal. Alternately, use the quartets as capstone experiences for advanced students nearing graduation from your studio.

• Ensemble listening and balance in mixed instrumental groups
• Phrasing across longer musical lines while maintaining accurate intonation
• Reading and executing varied dynamic contexts (from intimate pp to full-voiced ff)
• Viola-specific articulation and color shifts
• Collaborative interpretation within chamber ensemble settings