First movement from Concerto No. 1

This is a brilliant piece for developing a really strong sound, both in forte and piano. Also for always using long bows. The tonality takes a while to get used to, but this movement is really good for cementing good shitfting technique and listening skills. The piano reduction is by Hans Heinz Schneeberger

Smoke gets in your Eyes

A great jazz ballard for introducing 2nd position, legato bowing and expressive playing, with an interesting key change in the middle.

Gondoliera

This character piece has contrasts G minor and G major with lyrical tunes developing a general sense of fluency. There are long slurs with plenty going on within them. Good for developing subdivision in 6/8 time.

Bourée d’Auvergne

This dance is really full of energy, in 3/8, with lots of ringing chords. The C minor middle section is contrasting and there is lots of useful 5th position work within a lovely tune. A violin arrangement by Mathieu Crickboom is included in this publication.

Suite in Eb

This suite is in three movements, Chaconne, Intermezzo and March. It is an arrangement of Holst’s first suite for military band. On one occasion the first part goes up to 8th position and there is quite a bit of 5th position. Running passages get passed between the parts, there are semiquaver passages involving string crossing, double stops and many contrasting articulations to watch our for.