A bebop-influenced show piece written for a graduation recital.

Recorded by Thomas Gould on his CD "Bach to Parker" for Champs Hill Records.

Duration c. 4‐5 minutes.

Ciprian Porumbescu was among the most celebrated of Romanian composers of his time. Balada was composed in 1880 and soon became his best known work, full of poetry and bitter nostalgia – a mixture of dance and song expressing a serene melancholy.

Duration 6‐7 minutes.

Cortège? was composed in 2002 and is associated in the composer's mind with Garcia Lorca's 'Soneto', a poem in which images of love and grief are intertwined. It has been recorded by Siân Philipps and Sophia Rahmen for Meridian on the CD 'Homage a Lorca – In Search of Duende' (CDE 84513)

Duration 5‐6 minutes.

A short, lyrical piece which looks backward both musically and emotionally to the legend of Orpheus — as he returns Orpheus yearns and, finally, cannot resist a backward look — whereupon Euridice is brusquely returned to the underworld.

'Looking Back' was written in 2014 for the violinist Siân Philipps

Duration 5‐6 minutes

This new version of the 5th Cello Suite is the result of an in-depth exploration of the various sources including an appraisal of the significant role of Bach's autograph manuscript of the Lute Suite (BWV 995) which dates from the same period (1727-31).

Expanding the original use of scordatura tuning and using two staves rather than the extended use of accidentals the edition consists of a performing score with full editorial commentary and bibliography.

In his introduction Christopher Wellington offers a full account of the background to Brahms' transcription for viola of the two Clarinet Sonatas Op.120. Noting that the composer expressed some doubts about the success of his transcription and that viola players including Lionel Tertis and William Primrose have restored some passages more closely to the original clarinet part – this edition presents a transposition of the clarinet original and identifies the passages modified by the composer in his transcription for viola and thus allows viola players the possibility of considering their personal approach to these works.

This Romance was adapted by York Bowen from an earlier violin piece and performed on the occasion of his first concert with Lionel Tertis in 1904. It is here published for the first time and includes Tertis' fingerings from the autograph manuscript.

Romance has been recorded by Lawrence Power (viola) with Simon Crawford-Phillips (piano) on Hyperion CDA 67651/2 (2 CDs).

Duration c. 5‐6 minutes.

An eloquent and rewarding work in which the composer reveals his love and understanding of the viola.

There is a fine recording by Morgan Goff (viola) and Raphael Terroni (piano) on Dutton CDLX 7164. The CD is available from Comus Edition.

Duration c. 19 minutes.

This is a reduction for viola and piano of one of the composer's finest concertos and one of his most personal works. It was first performed in 1993 to mark Butterworth's 70th year, and has been recorded by Sarah-Jane Bradley with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by the composer. In the recording the Concerto is coupled with Butterworth's 1st and 4th Symphonies on two discs (Dutton Epoch CD LX 7212).

A full score and orchestral parts are available for hire.

Duration c. 35 minutes.

A short lyrical piece with a somewhat darker central episode.

Duration c. 5‐6 minutes.

This piece is based upon an old Morris dance "The Monks' March". In 1919 it was described in Musical Opinion as "...bright enough and not without suggestions of intensity of utterance which is ordinarily characteristic of this musician's manner".

The English Dance has been recorded by Roger Chase (viola) and Michita Otaki (piano) on Dutton CDLX 7204

Duration c. 4-5 minutes.

This arrangement of one of Dvorak's popular Slavonic Dances is dedicated to Bernard Shore, the first principal viola of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and author of 'The Orchestra Speaks'. The full range of the instrument is used, with double stop thirds and rapid changes from arco to pizzicato which call for an experienced player. However, in the right hands it would make an excellent 'encore' item.

Duration c. 6‐7 minutes.

Kenneth Harding (1903-1992) wrote several works for large orchestra, chamber pieces, songs and solo keyboard pieces, etc. but he is particularly notable for his devotion to the viola. The Poem dates from 1931, when Harding joined the viola section of the newly formed BBC Symphony Orchestra. It is the first of a rich legacy of solo and ensemble pieces for the instrument that would flow from his pen over the next sixty years.

Duration c. 5 minutes.

Moonlit Apples was inspired by a poem of John Drinkwater evoking a moonlit autumn night and the ever changing pattern of colour, light and shade as clouds pass slowly over the face of the moon. With subtle use of harmonic colour, a rich palette of timbres and gentle dynamics Harding translates this fluid image into a brief and tender musical picture.

Duration c. 6 minutes.

A bebop‐influenced show piece – and great fun to play.

Duration c. 4‐5 minutes.

A single movement work inspired by William Blake's prophetic book. Composed in 1983 for Paul Silverthorne, it was later scored by the composer for viola and string orchestra, and more recently for viola and chamber orchestra of strings with alto flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet and 2 horns. Score and parts are available from Comus.

Watch on YouTube

Duration c.9 minutes.

This significant new edition of a popular concerto is now available. Edited by Christopher Wellington with a piano reduction by Geoffrey Pratley.

A study score and orchestral score and parts are available. Please contact us.

Before his untimely death in 1942 Walter Leigh had established a reputation as a gifted and versatile composer whose music was published and widely performed. This Sonatina shows the influence of Hindemith with whom Leigh studied. It was composed for Rebecca Clarke who performed it in London in 1930 and in 1932 it was featured at the ISCM in Vienna.

Duration c.9 minutes.

Ciprian Porumbescu was among the most celebrated of Romanian composers of his time. Balada was composed in 1880 and soon became his best known work, full of poetry and bitter nostalgia — a mixture of dance and song expressing a serene melancholy.

Duration 6‐7 minutes

The violist Watson Forbes frequently played this piece with Alan Richardson and described 'Sussex Lullaby' as 'one of the loveliest pieces in the repertoire'. This copy contain the viola part and a transposed version for 'cello.

Duration c.3 minutes

A piece which integrates various elements of the classical suite – Overture, Courante, Air, etc., into one short and very effective movement. The copy contain the viola part and a transposed version for 'cello.

Duration 3‐4 minutes.

Pastoral and reflective variations with episodes of vigour and brilliance.

Duration c.8 minutes.

From Richardson's later years, a powerful work full of passion and tenderness.

Selected for the London Trinity College Diploma Syllabus.

Duration c.10 minutes.

Wiegenlied Variations is a set of freely composed variations on the well-known lullaby by Brahms. It is somewhat akin in concept perhaps to Benjamin Britten's "reflections" in his Lachrymae for viola and piano in which Dowland's song is only clearly revealed at the end of the work. In these variations the lullaby is heard in the middle, split into two parts by a central variation that contains the climax of the work.

Duration c.14 minutes.

This sonata is one of the finest examples of Tartini's style in an excellent authoritative transcription for viola and piano or harpsichord by Paul Silverthorne.

Duration c.10 minutes

A selection of favourite pieces for viola and piano arranged and composed by Lionel Tertis for his solo recitals and recordings.

Edited by John White and published in 2 books.

A selection of favourite pieces for viola and piano arranged and composed by Lionel Tertis for his solo recitals and recordings.

Edited by John White and published in 2 books.