# Strauss, Don Juan, Op. 20

The standard opening request at viola auditions. Fast, high, and written in a register where the viola has to project without turning thin.

## About the excerpt

- **Composer:** Richard Strauss

- **Work:** Don Juan, Op. 20

- **Era:** Late-Romantic (c. 1880–1910)

- **Composed:** 1888

- **Tempo:** Allegro molto con brio

- **Clef:** Alto clef

- **Difficulty:** Audition

- **Audition list:** Standard excerpt

## Bowing

On-string and broad. A light stroke disappears under the orchestra and reads as tentative behind a screen.

## Where it goes wrong

The passage climbs into a register violists spend less time in; secure position work matters more than speed here.

## Style

Heroic character from the first note, there is no warm-up bar.

## Techniques

tone-poem, audition, fast, bravura

This public reference contains work information and original practice notes. It does not publish the excerpt notation or grant permission to copy a score. Score access and rights depend on the edition and jurisdiction.

## Related excerpts

- [Strauss: Don Quixote, Sancho Panza solo](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/viola/strauss-don-quixote-viola), The extended solo viola part representing Sancho Panza. Standard at principal viola auditions and a test of character playing. Audition; Late-Romantic; Alto clef. Standard audition excerpt.
- [Mahler: Symphony No. 10, Adagio, opening](https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/viola/mahler-10-adagio-viola), The unaccompanied viola line that opens the Adagio, the whole section alone, unsupported, at a very slow tempo. Audition; Late-Romantic; Alto clef. Standard audition excerpt.

Canonical source: https://arcosounds.com/repertoire/viola/strauss-don-juan-viola