for Viola and Piano-Brahms had already announced his 'retirement' from composition when in the spring of 1894 he played chamber music with the cellist Robert Hausmann and the clarinettist Richard Mühlfeld. This encounter apparently renewed his enthusiasm for Mühlfeld?s much admired playing and inspired him to write two Clarinet sonatas in the summer of the same year. It remains unclear when exactly Brahms drafted Viola parts to his two sonatas. In any case the Viola and Clarinet versions of the works were first published by Simrock at the same time in 1895. Today there is no doubt about Brahms? authorship of the Viola parts. They include important differences fromthe Clarinet original in order to do justice to this string instrument.An important part of this edition is the extensive preface. Firstly it informs about the sonatas? origins their compositional process pre-publication performances their publication history as well as early reception. Truly remarkable is the unique Performance Practice Commentary. Here the editors start from the premise that already a few decades after Brahms' death a widening gulf developed between the composer's expectations and the performance practices of the early 20th century. On the basis of manifold sources which include memoirs by pupils and chamber music partners treatises and essays early instructive editions and historical recordings the editors deal with key issues in understanding Brahms' notation. By a section-by-section analysis of rhythm and timing dynamics and accentuation dots and strokes slurring and non legato Piano pedalling and overholding Piano arpeggiation and dislocation string instrument fingering string instrument harmonics and vibrato the editors provide an indispensable assistance for a historically informed interpretation of the works.At the same time the edition offers an exciting and often surprising insight into musical interpretation of the German Romantic Era in general.A pioneering Urtext editionWith an unmarked Urtext partWith a second part including fingering and bowing based on the practices of contemporaries of BrahmsWith an extensive Performance Practice

First Position - Volume 3-These volumes contain a wide selection of easy recital pieces. They are designed as companion volumes to the Early Start on the Viola method but work equally well as a supplement to any other viola method. As all pieces are written entirely in first position they can be used just after a few months of lessons. Well-known as well as unfamiliar pieces provide welcome additional repertoire for young students and teachers.The piano part may be played by the teacher or an advanced student. Alternatively a second viola part allows duet playing with the teacher during lessons.The Viola Recital Album Volume 1 can be used as a supplement to the Early Start on theViola method Volumes 1 and 2 (BA 9686 and BA 9687). The 18 pieces in Volume 1 are structured to follow the same progression of finger patterns introduced in the Early Start method. This systematic progression helps the student to solidify the hand position and improve intonation. The basic bowing techniques do not require changes in bow speed or sounding point. The young performer can focus on a straight and beautifully placed bow that produces a pleasing and clear sound.- New pieces to supplement the Sassmannshaus Viola method- All pieces in first position- Include an additional viola part for duet version and a piano accompaniment

Sixteen favorite Christmas hymns and songs for viola. These arrangements are easily accessible with no page turns or double stops. Suggested bowings are included. This book contains both melody and harmony parts with pianoaccompaniment which can be used with the violin and cello books in the same series. The pieces can be enjoyed in a number of instrumental settings either as solos duets or in ensembles with other string instruments. Suggesteduses are: solo viola with piano accompaniment viola duets with cello violin and/or piano and trios with cello and violin. Pull-out viola part.

Sonata in B flat major op. 36 for Piano and Viola-Henry Vieuxtemps' Viola Sonata In B Flat Op.36. Urtext edition.Following a concert by the 14-year old 'wunderkind' Henry Vieuxtemps in 1834 none other than Robert Schumann said 'WithHenri one can safely close one’s eyes. His playing is like a flower at the same time both fragrant and bright'. Vieuxtemps is nowadays considered to be the foremost exponent of the Franco-Belgian Violin school.The composer was however an excellent Viola player and wrote several compositions for the instrument. Sonata Op.36 published in 1862 is one of the gems of Viola literature with its oscillation betweenexpressive maestoso elegiac barcarola and scherzando passages. This edition by Henle is the first Urtext version of the work to be published.

The 'Arpeggione' was a guitar-like instrument tuned in the same way as the guitar but held between the knees and played with a bow. The instrument possessed a warm quality and it was this attribute which Schubert exploited in the sonata which he wrote for it in 1824. Schubert's manuscript on which this edition is based contains an alternative violin part which dates from the same period. To avoid an excess of leger lines and clef changes Schubert wrote the arpeggioned part almost exclusively in the treble clef which the performer was expected to read an octave lower than written. The work was edited for the viola when it came into its own as a solo instrument around the turn ofthe century.

The Bohemian composer Jan K titel Va hal/Johann Baptist Vanhal (1739 1813) settled in Vienna around 1763. There he wrote several concertos for various instruments of which two for Viola have survived. Both are evidently not original compositions but arrangements by Va hal of some of his own works a common practice of that time. The Viola Concerto In C Major is based on Va hal's Cello concerto in the same key.Barenreiter's new revised edition makes this Concerto available once again. The solo part contains cadenzas for each movement.Performance material is available for hire.

This charming and humorous set of variations originally for mandolin and keyboard is arranged here for violin and piano by the distinguished performer Steven Isserlis. Originally composed in 1796 when Beethoven was twenty-six it shows the young genius at his most elegant.The work is ideally suited to the violin which has the same tuning as the mandolin. It will make a valuable addition to the repertoire of the more advanced player.