Viola excerpt · Audition repertoire
Brahms, Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a
A standard Brahms viola excerpt testing rhythmic precision and a full sound in the middle register.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Viola
- Composer
- Johannes Brahms
- Work
- Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a
- Era
- Romantic (c. 1820–1880)
- Composed
- 1873
- Clef
- Alto clef
- Level
- Advanced, conservatory level
- Audition list
- Yes, standard excerpt
How to practise it
The bow style, the trouble spots, and the stylistic decisions that come up most often on this excerpt.
Bowing
A firm on-string stroke with clear note beginnings. Brahms wants weight without heaviness.
Where it goes wrong
Dotted rhythms must be exact rather than approximate, this is what the excerpt is chosen to reveal.
Style
Keep the pulse steady; the variation loses its character the moment the rhythm relaxes.
Tags
Work on the technique underneath
Arco's viola curriculum builds the bow strokes, positions, and clef reading this excerpt assumes, with recorded viola playback throughout.