I dont know anything about classical music, but I really like the viola. I was wondering if u guys could recommend some albums with the viola that are good, and also listenable for a newbie. I love the band "Rachel`s" which isn`t classical but they play the viola a lot.

How about the Bartok viola concerto played by Hong Mei Xiao? You can get it from Amazon. The third movement has a power and depth which may be related to Bartok, to the fact that Hong Mei Xiao has a very nice viola, or to the fact that she is (according to the sleeve) the only viola player to win first prize in the Geneva International Music competition for 16 years. However the viola as a virtuoso solo instrument does strike me as a different proposition to the warm cuddly instrument many are attracted to. The best example of the viola in that role I have found is the second movement of Shostakovich string quartet no 1 - a really rich peasanty viola tune which is easy to play and sounds nice in real life and not just on records. I have Shostakovich string quartet no 1 by the Brodsky Quartet. The whole piece is my favourite string quartet because every movement is gorgeous. The only trouble is it came in a box set of the complete string quartets and I don`t like any of the others.

Well, Telemann`s viola concerto in G major is also a good bet - very listenable to and shows off the beautiful sounds of the viola to perfection.

what about Bruch`s concerto for viola and clarinet (also arranged for viola and violin)?! This piece doesn`t seem to be very well know, but it is absolutely gorgeous! It is so well written for both instruments and they intertwine so beautifully it is simply a joy to listen to. I think it is a relatively simple piece in comparison with say the Bruch violin concerto, but don`t let that put you off for a second! It is wonderfully balanced and unpretentious and you should listen to it! I have a recording of it with the Walton Viola concerto, Bruch`s Romance for viola and orchestra and Bruch`s Kol Nidrei with Yuri Bashmet playing viola with Victor Tretiakov on the violin. Yuri Bashmet is THE WORLD`S BEST VIOLA PLAYER - have a listen. The cd is produced by RCA red seal - 09026 632922.

Gareth

That`s really interesting Gareth, I`m going to try some of those leads. By the way, since that piece you mention was written for viola and clarinet, wouldn`t it be better to get a recording of it with viola and clarinet? Does such a recording exist?

Willy Burkhard wrote a lot of stuff for viola that is absolutely beautiful! The recordings are fairly easy to find (I wish I could say the same for the sheet music).

David -

Yes, there is at least one recording for viola and clarinet - I know `cause I have it! Viola - Gerard Causse, clarinet - Paul Meyer. It is quite good; APEX 8573 89229 2. It also has `eight pieces for viola and clarinet and the Romance for viola and orchestra, both by Bruch. I think the double concerto works very well for viola and violin - it really doesn`t sound at all like a transcription - there`s no compromise in terms of the musical integrity, if you know what I mean. The advantage of the Yuri Bashmet recording is that Yuri Bashmet is, of course, playing the viola!

So, take your pick and I hope you enjoy. Other thing to note is that the Bashmet recording will almost certainly be more expensive ... but worth every penny.

Gareth

PS - let me know how you get on!