First of the series of “Quatre Visages” by Darius Milhaud  I - La Californienne is a short piece for Viola and Piano. With some difficulties it requires some intermediate technique of the instrument and some theory knowledge to read in different keys. The book includes the score for Viola and Piano and the part for Viola only. The music has moderate tempo and is quite expressive. It is supposed to represent an American girl from California. She is part of the four faces with: II. The Wisconsonian III. La Bruxelloise and IV. La Parisienne. Darius Milhaud (1892-1974) was a French modernistcomposer and a teacher. He was also part of Les Six and was strongly influenced by Jazz. His opus list ended at 443.

1st Sonata was written by Darius Milhaud and is based on anonymous tunes of the XVIII century and was dedicated to Germain Prevost. Initially composed for Viola and Orchestra this score features the Viola and Piano scores. It is composed of four distinct parts:  1. Entrée 2. Française 3. Air 4. Final Fairly difficult this Sonata can be used for recitals and contests by upper-intermediate players. Born in 1892 Darius Milhaud became a professor at the Paris Conservatoire after the WWII and composed a wide musical repertoire. One of thecharacteristic of the music he composed was its polytonality and its numerous influences (mainly French Provence Jazz South American and Jewish).

Six Country Dances is an anthology of tunes from Playford’s ‘The English Dancing Master’ selected and arranged by Richard Rodney Bennett. Playford’s collection was first published in 1651 and contained 535 popular tunes for country dancing. Richard Rodney Bennett’s skilful and inspired arrangements are perfect for intermediate standard players adding as they do a contemporary slant to these classics of the English folk repertoire. This edition is for Viola and Piano.

A third book of 21 pieces for beginner Instrumentation : viola and piano Number of Pages : 36 Series : Easy String Music Fast Forward, part of the Colledge's highly regarded Easy String Series, has long been the repertoire choice of string teachers. The pieces help reinforce basic elements of technique, rhythm and fingering patterns ranging from pieces for beginners - intermediate players. The edition is part of the Trinity syllabus 2007 (grade 2) Contenu - At Harvest Time - Boogie-Woogie - Clever Clogs! - Drifting - Fast Forward - Hallowe'en - Hornpipe - Hustle, bustle - Lazy-bones - Once Upon a Time - Polly's Polka - Singapore Sunset - Snake Charmer - Something or Other! - Sweet Dreams - The Ceilidh - Weeping Willow - What's the Time? - Windmills - Winter's Night - Wondering

Finzi's well-loved and long-established clarinet repertoire piece idiomatically transcribed by Veronica Leigh Jacobs. Leigh Jacobs trained at London's Royal Academy of Music and has enjoyed a substantial career as both orchestral and chamber musician in the USA. An addition to the viola repertoire which will be welcomed by intermediate to advanced standard players alike.

These four contrasting pieces will be fun to play for any violist of intermediate standard and Viva Barcelona! is currently on the Grade 7 ABRSM syllabus. The four pieces are Elegy Jazz-Dance Presto for Frankie and Viva Barcelona!