Best Viola Pieces for Violinists Transitioning to Viola

If you’re a violinist who has long been curious about the viola and are ready to explore the instrument, you might be wondering what to play on the viola. You might be looking for something accessible as an entry point for learning the new clef, or a piece to challenge your new-found skills on the viola. While the violin literature is available to violists, as a violinist, there is something to be said about exploring music written to bring out the particular voice of the viola. This guide will help you explore accessible concertos, graded repertoire anthologies, solo pieces, and works for viola and piano as you switch to the new instrument.

An Accessible Concerto

Telemann Concerto for Viola, TWV 51

When I got my first viola, the piece I was drawn to after learning alto clef was Telemann’s viola concerto. The concerto is one of the earliest written for the viola and is a core part of the viola repertoire. While it is accessible to intermediate students, all aspiring violists should explore the piece. It is an excellent way for violinists to polish alto-clef reading skills while learning something new.

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP

Works for Solo Viola (transcriptions)

Telemann Fantasies, TWV 40 For Viola without Bass (transcribed from violin)

These works might be familiar to violinists but are also favorites of violists. Many of these 12 short pieces work wonderfully on the viola and are more accessible than Bach’s solo Sonatas and Partitas for violin.

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP See the transcriptions tab for multiple options.

Bach Cello Suites (transcribed from cello)

While originally written for Cello, Bach’s famous suites work well played on viola and have become core viola repertoire, often requested in auditions and studied frequently by violists. If you are a violinist who has not had an opportunity to play these pieces, I recommend giving them a try on viola.

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP

Viola Works by Women Composers

Rebecca Clarke is famous for her sonata for viola, but she also wrote many shorter works for viola and piano that are accessible for an intermediate violinist transitioning to viola. Try her collection, Shorter Pieces for Viola and Piano.

Sheet Music: Published by Oxford University Press

Graded Repertoire Collections for Viola

Solos for Young Violists series (Barbara Barber)

While this graded repertoire series is intended for younger students, there is nothing childish about these pieces making them ideal for adult students looking for repertoire outside of other graded series or methods like Suzuki. The books cover a range of levels similar to Suzuki books 3-8 and are often used by teachers as supplements to Suzuki repertoire.

Solo Time for Viola (UOP)

This series of books works well for students at an intermediate level, and while intended for children, the pieces can make good early study for adults in addition to method books. They correspond to ABRSM grades 3-8.

Sheet Music: Published by Oxford University Press

Viola Music By Women (Sleepy Puppy Press)

I am interested in playing works by underrepresented composers and this anthology is a gem filled with diverse pieces by women composers from a variety of eras. It is a graded series of 3 books that are suitable for intermediate to advanced violists. Many of these pieces make good short recital works.

Sheet Music: Sleepy Puppy Press

Closing Thoughts

If you are getting started on your journey as a violist, whether you are transitioning from many years as a violinist or are an adult learner looking for inspiring repertoire, this selection of pieces and anthologies could provide many years of study, inspiration for a recital program, or ideas for a piece to read in your next practice session.