Viola music : Repertoire : Australian Music Centre

Viola music

Australian music for viola

The viola has traditionally inspired music that is elegiac in nature and often miniature in form. The Australian repertory for the instrument is no exception in that there is a wonderful array of short pieces and atmospheric miniatures available for performance. Composers have increasingly understood the instrument's potential and composed large-scale solo pieces, chamber music and concertos that make use of viola's whole expressive range. For example Brett Dean's viola concerto, premiered by the composer himself in 2006, was a powerful demonstration of this, as were concertos by Andrew Ford (1998), Colin Brumby (1990) and James Ledger (2019). Earlier works include viola concertos by Alfred Hill (1969), and Peggy Glanville-Hicks (1956).

Australian viola works have been promoted and performed in the past by celebrated Australian artists that include Patricia Pollett, Roger Benedict, Lawrence Jacks, Keith Crellin and Deborah Lander. In recent years that are more Australian composers who are also violists that have contributed greatly to the canon. These include Aaron Wyatt, David Banney, James Cuddeford, Natalie Williams, Katherine Potter and Biddy Connor.

Representative works

	Work	Notes
	Sonata for viola and percussion (1960) by Peter Sculthorpe	This classic of the repertory, representative of Sculthorpe’s early Australian idiom, evokes the sounds and colours of the outback.
	Sonata for clarinet or viola and piano (1949) by Margaret Sutherland	A lyrical, single-movement sonata, exploring a fine range of melodic and dramatic material well suited to the instrument.
	Duo variations for viola and piano (1990) by Andrew Schultz	A challenging duo with extended scope and variety. The viola and piano are equal partners in this substantial work.
	Prelude and White cockatoo spirit dance (1994) by Ross Edwards	A two-movement solo viola work with dramatic and dance-like characteristics. Well written for the viola, the piece covers a large range and has lots of variety
	Still life (2001) by Elena Kats-Chernin	Six short pieces that allow the viola to explore a range of moods, textures, intensities and drama.
	Swansong (1987) by Andrew Ford	A striking work with extreme contrasts of character, Swansong has a virtuosic middle section with dramatic intensity.
	Aftermath (2016) by Emily Sheppard	Written for viola and voice to be performed by one person. There are low and high voice versions available.
	The Innocents (2023) by David Banney	Ideal for medium to advanced players, and excellent as a work for HSC students.
	Contrasts (2022) by John Carmichael	The aim of the work is to show what a wide range of expressive and technical possibilities the viola has at its disposal.
	Djeran (2023) by Aaron Wyatt	The work is in a single movement, but within that it has a condensed three movement structure.
	Talking points (2016) by Natalie Williams	A short set of pieces depicting simple types of conversation and interaction between the two instruments, who function as characters within the piece.
	Eight Nocturnes (2023) by Katherine Potter	This collection of eight for viola and piano is borne of Potter's nighttime musings and reflections.
	Fast Blue Village (2021) by Elena Kats-Chernin	Dedicated to Carla Deplancke.
	Gothic Carousel (2020) by Tristan Coelho	Suitable for secondary school performers.
	Jucaro rhumba d'amor (2020) by Margaret Brandman	Latin-American rhythms with a delicate melody superimposed over a Rhumba rhythm.
	Yanu (2022) by Christopher Sainsbury	This work is energetic and positive in spirit.
	Viola Concerto (2019) by James Ledger	Each of the four movements of this concerto inhabit spaces that reflect the viola's unique character.