VIOLA (Subject Code: 04)
The set pieces in this syllabus are valid for 2008–2015. The scale and sight-reading requirements have
been revised and take effect from 1 January 2012. The next revision of the set pieces will come into force
in 2016.
Candidates may play on a violin strung as a viola.
Viola GRADE 1
THREE PIECES: one chosen by the candidate from each of the three Lists, A, B and C:
LIST A
1 J. S. Bach Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 262 ¸ Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 1, arr. Bass and
˝
2 Purcell Riggadoon (from The Second Part of Musick’s Hand-maid) ˛ Harris (ABRSM)
3 Kathy and David Blackwell Patrick’s Reel. No. 41 from Viola Time Joggers, arr. Blackwell (OUP: piano accomp.
published separately)
4 Handel Finale from the Water Music. No. 13 from Viola Time Runners, arr. Blackwell (OUP: piano accomp.
published separately)
5 Jean Hotteterre Cotillon. No. 7 from Early Music for Viola, arr. Brodszky (Editio Musica Budapest Z.4293)
6 T. Morley Now is the month of Maying. No. 13 from First Repertoire for Viola, Book 1, arr. Wilkinson and Hart
(Faber)
LIST B
1 Kathy and David Blackwell Rocking Horse. No. 40 from Viola Time Joggers, arr. Blackwell (OUP: piano accomp.
published separately)
2 Bruckner Evening Hymn. No. 16 from First Repertoire for Viola, Book 1, arr. Wilkinson and Hart (Faber)
3 Harry Dacre Daisy Bell. No. 11 from Play It Again – Viola, arr. Scott (Faber)
4 Dvořák Larghetto: 2nd movt from Sonatina in G, Op. 100. Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 1, arr. Bass and Harris
(ABRSM)
5 Elgar Andante: No. 1 from Six Very Easy Pieces, Op. 22, arr. Pope (Bosworth BOE003913)
6 Grechaninov Morning Stroll: No. 1 from In aller Frühe, Op. 126b (Schott ED 8757)
LIST C
1 Baklanova March. No. 12 from First Repertoire for Viola, Book 1, arr. Wilkinson and Hart (Faber)
2 Margery Dawe Russia – Gopak: No. 5 from Travel Tunes for Viola (Cramer: piano accomp. published separately)
3 Paul Harris Viola Joke! Time Pieces for Viola, Vol. 1, arr. Bass and Harris (ABRSM)
4 Trad. Dance to your daddy. No. 13 from Piece by Piece 1 for Viola, arr. Nelson (Boosey & Hawkes)
5 Trad. What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor? No. 2 from Play It Again – Viola, arr. Scott (Faber)
6 John Widger Over the Bridge: No. 2 from Viola Jazz, Rock ’n’ Bow (Spartan Press SP406)
SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS*: from memory; for further details (incl. examples) see pp. 6–9
range bowing requirements rhythm pattern
Scales
G, D majors†; A natural minor 1 oct. separate bows and slurred even notes or long tonic,
C major 2 oct. (2 quavers to a bow) at candidate’s choice
Arpeggios
G, D majors†; A minor 1 oct. separate bows even notes
C major 2 oct. " "
SIGHT-READING*: a four-bar piece in 44 or 4
3 , or a six-bar piece in 2 , in G or D majors, in 1st position (no
use of C string). All notes separately bowed. Simple dynamics (f, F, p), note values (h q q q q q q q) and
4
rests (Œ). See also p. 7.
AURAL TESTS FOR THE GRADE*: see pp. 58 and 59
* Published by ABRSM (Scale requirements, Specimen Sight-Reading Tests, Specimen Aural Tests) † Starting on open strings
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