Two contrasting Viola pieces?
I am auditioning for a college orchestra and need two contrasting viola pieces (can be same piece but different movements). I've been playing viola for 10 years and can shift up to any position. I just don't know of two different, good contrasting pieces to play. It's ok of you only know of one style to share. Anything help. Thanks!!!! :D
Answers & Comments
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Knowing that you can shift doesn't say enough about your level. What pieces have you learned? Can you re-learn a piece you learned for a district audition?
I'm casting about in the dark here, but if you know some of the standard high school viola literature like the Hoffmeister concerto, the Stamitz concerto, the Eccles Sonata or the Schubert Arpeggione Sonata, any of those would be good. A fast movement from one of those and a slow, more modern piece like the Vaughan-Williams Fantasia on Greensleeves or one of his 6 Studies in English Folk Song would be nicely contrasting works. Movements from the Bach cello suites are good for auditions too. Then there are several Quincy Porter pieces that are fairly short and easy enough to learn. There are also some transcriptions of slow Faure pieces for viola that would be nice.
I don't exactly have contrasting pieces, but I do know this one. The J. C. Bach viola concerto in c minor is good. (here's a link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG_zvtibU2Q ) All of the movements are wonderful, and a ton of fun to play :) I agree that the Bach cello suites are good, too. Good luck on your audition!