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 from the 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 edition- With an unmarked Urtext part- With a second part including fingering and bowing based on the practices of contemporaries of Brahms- With an extensive Performance Practice Commentary- For further information on Romantic performance practice we recommend the text booklet: 'Performance Practices in Johannes Brahms' Chamber Music?, BA 9600 / Alto Et Piano

Par WIENIAWSKI / KAMASA. In addition to the numerous violin pieces in H. Wieniawski's compositional output there is only one piee for viola and piano, ''Reverie'', which is without opus number. The ''Dream'' ost probably comes from that period when Wieniawski stayed in London (1858-1859) and, apart from his regular concert activities, took part in chamber concerts, which were very popular at that time. During one of the Beethoven-Quartett-Society concerts a quartet of four outstanding virtuosos (Ernst, Joachim, Wieniawski and Piatti, the cellist) performed together. Wieniawski, who played the viola on that occasion, presumably concluded that there were too few original compositions for thisbeautiful instrument and decided to write a short viola piece himself. He endowed it with a lyrical character and the stamp of fervour, characteristic of his other compositions. (S. Kamasa) / Répertoire d'Examen / Répertoire / Alto et Piano

Scott, Daniel (Arranger) - Hornby, Megan (Editor). Tired of the same old exam pieces? Need a little light relief? Then here's the answer to your problems. Play it Again is a lively collection of favourite tunes, both new and old, expertly arranged for easy viola with upbeat, but playable, piano accompaniments. All viola parts are written in first position so they are perfect for the absolute beginner, helping young players to gain confidence and learn basic technique in a fun and lively way. Both you and your teacher can really relax and have fun! The solo viola part is also included on a separate insert. / Niveau : 2 / Traditional, Popular, Children / Recueil / Alto et Piano