Viola excerpt · Audition repertoire
Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64
Heavy, deliberate, rhythmically exact writing in the middle register. Approachable notes, unforgiving pulse.
At a glance
- Instrument
- Viola
- Composer
- Sergei Prokofiev
- Work
- Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64
- Era
- Modern (c. 1910–1950)
- Composed
- 1935
- Clef
- Alto clef
- Level
- Intermediate, university 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
Weighted strokes with real grip in the string. The character is menacing and deliberate.
Where it goes wrong
Any rushing is immediately audible because the whole low string section moves together.
Style
Do not soften it. The passage should sound blunt.
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.