Favorite Violin and Viola Concert Pieces by Women Composers
Throughout my many years of childhood violin lessons, I never once played a piece by a woman composer. And I didn’t think this was strange until returning to playing violin (and viola) as an adult and beginning to hear about and listen to pieces by women composers. I realized that there is something exceptionally antiquated about classical music when it comes to gender bias, both in the music studio and on the concert stage. I hear about and read books authored by women all the time, and see artwork made by women in many major museums and galleries. Yet is still relatively rare to hear a piece by a woman performed in a classical music setting.
Because many music teachers did not study works by women composers in their own training, they may be less likely to assign pieces by women composers to their own students. But I notice that this is changing. The ABRSM syllabus now includes quite a few pieces by women composers (and other underrepresented composers) at many levels. And this growing awareness is also reflected in anthologies that are intended for pedagogical settings such as *Violin Music by Women* (and the corresponding viola anthologies) and the contemporary composition-focused Spectrum for Violin which includes compositions by women. I have written about both of these in the article Collections that Inspire.
As I considered preparing a short recital piece for my teacher’s annual student recital, I went back to my list of concert pieces by women composers and realized just how many pieces by women I want to play on violin or viola in a recital setting, and that, so far, I’ve only ever played one of them. I’ve compiled some of my favorites that are accessible to amateurs and intermediate to upper-intermediate students. These pieces are also musically interesting enough to be programmed in professional recitals.
The Pieces
Trois Pièces
This dramatic work for cello and piano by French composer and music teacher Nadia Boulanger is becoming a recital staple on viola. The piece fits the voice of the instrument beautifully, and while the key is challenging, especially the first piece in F flat minor, the music is straightforward, allowing the player to focus on character and dynamics to bring out the music’s full range of color. One of the three pieces is featured on ABRSM’s grade 8 viola syllabus.
Composer: Nadia Boulanger
Drei Stücke, Op. 26
This romantic work for viola and piano by German composer Louise Adolpha Le Beau makes a good recital piece either in its entirety or broken into individual pieces. While not overly complex, they are musically varied, offering subtle challenges while remaining accessible to upper-intermediate students. These pieces appear on ABRSM’s grade 7 and 8 viola syllabi.
Composer: Louise Adolpha Le Beau
Nocturne
Nocturne is the first in a set of two pieces by French composer Lili Boulanger (the companion piece being Cortège). While it was originally composed for violin, it also works well on viola. This lyrical piece is accessible to intermediate players and appealing to audiences alike. The piece appears on ABRSM’s grade 6 violin syllabus.
Composer: Lili Boulanger
Notturno
This lush romantic piece for violin and piano by 19th-century German composer Emilie Mayer is brief yet exciting, and filled with ornamental flourishes. This is one of my favorites on this list for its dramatic character.
Composer: Emilie Mayer
Six Morceaux
At a recent lesson, my teacher loaned me the music for this collection of six short violin pieces by French singer-composer Pauline Viardot. They are varied in complexity with a lyrical quality that befits a composition by someone whose voice was their primary instrument. The Berceuse is on the ABRSM grade 6 syllabus.
Composer: Pauline Viardot
Romance, Op. 23
American composer Amy Beach’s Romance for violin and piano has become increasingly popular. It has soaring melodies that reach into the violin’s high register. But, the work is also performed on viola. While I prefer this piece on violin, it works well on both instruments. Both violinists and audiences will enjoy this piece. The piece is on the ABRSM grade 8 syllabus.
Composer: Amy Beach
Polish Caprice
Both dramatic and virtuosic, this short unaccompanied caprice for violin by Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz is a lively showpiece that works well in recital and as an encore. While originally for violin, it has been transcribed viola for and performed by violists as well. The piece apears on the ABRSM grade 8 syllabus.
Composer: Grazyna Bacewicz
Three Romances
I played the first of Clara Schumann’s Three Romances in recital a few years ago, and it was deceptively difficult to prepare and perform. Part of the allure of the piece was the syncopation between the violin and piano which proved challenging to coordinate as an ensemble . The pieces are roughly ABRSM grade 7-8 level.
Composer: Clara Schumann
In Closing
I’ve been heartened to hear more violin and viola music by women composers gaining visibility in concerts and recitals. This list includes just a few of my favorites that I hope to play one day, and encourage other students and amateur string players to consider playing them as well. I recognize that I have excluded two important 20th century women composers from the above list: Florence Price and Rebecca Clarke. I featured both of them in my article, Lyrical Alternatives to Massenet’s Meditation by Women Composers.
I hope that this list sparks your interest in exploring the work of women composers, whether you are an adult violin or viola student, an amateur musician in search of new repertoire, or a teacher looking to inspire your students to explore music beyond the canon.
Explore More Works by Women Composers
If you’re interested in violin and viola music by women composers, I have started a Notion database accessible here which I plan to expand over time. Explore the database by instrument, composer, and other categories.
