Sonata for Viola and Piano in D Major

Hey all,

Here is my viola sonata in D Major for viola and piano. It's in three movements and not in classic sonata form. I wrote it a while ago and have been trying to get someone to perform it, but I haven't had any luck. This is the first time I'm really opening it to the public, so all and any opinions/critiques/advice is greatly appreciated!

Some history:

I originally wrote the third movement first, and then decided that it would make a better third movement than a first movement. I then wrote the first movement and ended with the second. I wrote it because I felt that there wasn't many famous works out there for violists. I think the viola has a beautiful range and a much deeper and darker sound than the violin. So, here is my ode to the viola - enjoy!


Movement I - NOTE: there is one beat where there is no sound towards the end...for whatever reason, it didn't record

Mp3 - Sonata for Viola and Piano Mvt 1.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
PDF - Sonata for Viola and Piano in D Major - Movement I.pdf - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Movement II -

Mp3 - Sonata for Viola and Piano in D Ma 1.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
PDF - Sonata for Viola and Piano in D Major - Movement II.pdf - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

Movement III -

Mp3 - Sonata for Viola and Piano in D Majo.mp3 - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage
PDF - Sonata for Viola nad Piano in D Major - Movement III.pdf - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

hi there. i would really love to hear this piece, but for some reason the site is not loading. im not sure if its my comp or what. is there any way you could upload a MIDI? thanks

hmm....that's strange....it's working for me....

is anyone else having this problem?

I would upload a midi, but it's too big! . I can send it via AIM if you'd like. PM me your screen name and I'll IM you.

You need to be extremely careful when notating double stops for any string instruments. Typically thirds and seconds are extremely difficult to do. I would avoid them. And since you insist on them throughout the piece, I would reccomend you asking a violist if it is reasonable to play them.

Otherwise, nice piece. (I'll comment on the other two movements later).

Morgri - thanks for listening!

Yeah, while writing the piece I didn't realize how difficult double stops were, or at least, the ones I created. I asked my friend who plays viola about them - he said they were difficult, but not impossible, so unless someone state's otherwise then I'm keeping them. I look forward to your other comments!

I'm not sure it would be to your advantage to keep them. You can easily keep the meaning of the peice and not distort it one bit by taking away some of the double stops. The easier it is to play the more likely you are going to find someone to play it for you.

@Morgri
Extremely difficult???

Are we speaking about a professional or advanced level violist??

If yes, than no.

Thirds, sixths and fifths, are like the most commonly asked intervals. I've seen harder etudes in terms of double stops.

@The piece.
There are some issues with double stops regardless. There is usually a progression in positions with double stops like this, your writing jumps all over the place or uses open strings in the double stops. There are some notation errors in the double stops too.

I'd give you some exact parts, but this is just general.

The cadenza writing was mediocre. I think you'd need some editing by someone who knows the instrument better.

Just some notation errors in general as well.

Hmmm... I didn't like the first movement at all. The movements actually got better as you move on. I think you should seriously rework the 1st movement.

Look at some music by Bax, Bowen, and others like that. Very good modern/ romantic viola examples.

Corbin, While it maybe manageable for proffesional or even advanced violinist, In terms of getting it performed I think it would be best for him take out a few. I know sixths and fifths are fine, however, jumping all over the place with them isn't the best idea, especially if all he has are intermediate or a little bit better violists to play them. And since he says he's been trying to get it performed, I think it would be to his advantage to take them out.

So yes, they maybe be manageable for a proffesional or advanced violist, but not neccesiraly true for on that isn't at that skill level yet.

Haha, yeah some of them are just awkward.

A LOT are completely fine though. You just made it sound crazy difficult... which it isn't.

Thanks for your input Corbin!

Yes, the first movement isn't that great, is it? I will rework it, one day. I love parts of it, but other parts never sat well with me. My favorite is the second, followed by the third.

Also, I realize that my knowledge of double stops is limited. I plan on looking more into composing for the viola and seeing what would and wouldn't work..

thanks though! I look forward for more comments from others