Minuet in D

The well known Minuet from the Anna Madgalena Notebook gives lots of practice playing up a D major scale using 1st and 3rd positions. It also provides opportunities to develop the Minuet down-up-up bowing and other simple bowing patterns within a 3/4 time signature.

Sonata for Two Cellos Op.2 No.8

Beautiful piece that works really well on two cellos. Great for tenor clef work and rhythm (which looks much harder than it is). Also good for ensemble work, tonal control, period style and ornamentation. The sonata was originally written for two violins and keyboard.

Concertante

This arrangement is for 4 solo violas accompanied by an orchestra of violas, in four parts. The solo parts are grades 6-8 while the ‘orchestral’ parts are grades 4-6. Some of the solo parts go up to 5th position. Players need good listening skills and know when to play down so that the solo parts can be heard. There is lots of trill practice and any performance will benefit from clean articulation.

Concerto Grosso

There are 6 movements in this concerto gross and all parts gets the tune at some point. All parts shift out of first position and there is some use of 4th position.

Christmas Concerto Op.6 No.8

This well loved concertino has changes of tempo that need to be well managed. Some legato bowing, understanding of suspensions and trills all feature in it.