Viola excerpt · Audition repertoire
Mozart, Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 ("Haffner")
IV. Presto
Fast classical passagework testing clarity, lightness, and rhythmic discipline at speed.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Viola
- Composer
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Work
- Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 ("Haffner")
- Movement
- IV. Presto
- Era
- Classical (c. 1750–1820)
- Composed
- 1782
- Tempo
- Presto
- 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
Short and light in the lower half. The viola bow is heavier, so the stroke needs more lift and less arm than the equivalent violin passage.
Where it goes wrong
Clean beats a fraction faster. Choose the tempo you can articulate, not the one on the recording.
Style
Terraced dynamics, sharply observed.
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.