Stainer-and-Bell - Viola, Piano

Arranged for Viola and Piano by Watson Forbes and set for the Trinity College examinations Grade 8.

Op. 5 No. 9 Arranged By Max Morgan For Viola and Piano-Senaillé (1687-1730) was the first French violinist to adopt the ideals of the Italian school of playing. To the French style with its melodic grace virtuosic writing and frequent use of dance rhythms he brought the Italian conventions of the baroque sonata imitative counterpoint and a melodically conceived continuo. Set for Grade 6 of the Associated Board and Guildhall School examinations.

The Viola Sonatina is reissued to coincide with the release of a major new recording on ASV CD DCA 961. Three terse yet atmospheric movements contain a wealth of soaring melody displaying the many-sided character of the instrument.

Rhian Samuel's fresh and stimulating vocal and instrumental works have earned her an enviable reputation as a composer willing to tackle challenging subjects and a variety of musical forms. The three contrasting pieces of Blythswood were written at Glaick in Scotland on the mainland across from Skye and each one evokes in terms of seascape or memory the idea of the 'distant view'.