Baroque Music for Viola: Essential Pieces and Where to Start

I find Baroque music played on the viola to be exceptionally captivating. The range of the instrument is particularly suited to baroque sonorities. While it requires skill to master the art of playing baroque music, much of the repertoire is less technically demanding than music of later time periods, making it an excellent entry point for amateurs and students to play meaningful repertoire that can grow with them over time. Whether you are a student, an amateur, a professional with a love for the Baroque era or a violist curious about historically informed playing, here are my favorite Baroque pieces to play on the viola.

Telemann Viola Concerto

Telemann’s viola concerto is one of the earliest of its kind, approachable, fun to play, and originally written for the viola. This HIP performance of the concerto by the Croatian Baroque Ensemble perfectly captures the joyful nature of the piece. It was one of the first pieces I played as I was familiarizing myself with the viola. This concerto even inspired a tradition in my area, sponsored by the local viola society, where a large group of violists gathers to play the solo part together at the end of a concert.

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP

Telemann 12 Fantasies for Violin without Bass (TWV 40: 14-25)

While these works were originally composed for solo violin, they sit beautifully on the viola, and the darker timbre and unique resonance of the viola brings out the rich, polyphonic texture of the music. Some of my favorite Telemann Fantasies are:

• No. 1 in B Flat Major
• No. 3 in F Minor
• No. 9 in B Major

Sheet Music: Available in IMSLP. Check the arrangements and transcriptions tab.

Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 6

This concerto is famous for featuring 2 violas in the solo role. The whole concerto is unique in that it is written for strings without violins, which is one of the reasons why the solo viola part really shines. Every violist with a love for Baroque music should consider playing this Concerto even if it’s just playing along with a recording in your practice room to have the full experience of the music.

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP

Bach Cello Suites

Bach’s Cello Suites have become standard repertoire on viola and are often required in auditions. As a violinist, I had always wanted to play the famous suites, and while I had tried playing a few movements on violin (using a transcription I sourced on IMSLP), playing them on viola felt far closer to what I imagine the experience of these suites should be. While some of the suites are rather challenging to play, many of the movements are relatively approachable for students, adult learners, or violinists still learning alto clef. If you are earlier in your viola journey, I recommend the following selection of movements:

• Minuets from Suite I
• Minuets from Suite II
• Bourées Suite III
• Preludes from Suites I and II

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP. Check the arrangements and transcriptions tab.

Bach Viola da Gamba Sonatas (BWV 1027-1029)

Bach’s three sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord, while not originally composed for viola, sound natural on the instrument. They are unique in Bach’s oeuvre in that they are the only pieces Bach wrote for this particular instrumentation. If you are looking for an entry point into the sonatas, the first sonata in G major may be the least challenging of the set. The Adagio movement of No. 3, also in G major, is quite beautiful, and the Allegro from the same sonata is a lively excursion into Bach’s chamber writing.

• BWV 1027 Sonata in G Major
• BWV 1028 Sonata in D Major
• BWV 1029 Sonata in G Major

Sheet Music: Available on IMSLP. Check the arrangements and transcriptions tab.

Exploring Baroque Music

As you explore baroque repertoire on the viola, whether it is a first foray into historically informed performance practice or practice on your modern instrument, pay attention to how Baroque music resonates on your instrument. Play individual movements or even excerpts, or try playing along with recordings of full orchestral performances if you are exploring a concerto. Experiment with the variety of sounds available to you on your instrument when you play solo repertoire. Listen to a variety of recordings of the music you are learning, including performances on other instruments, especially if you are playing music originally for violin, cello, or viola da gamba. Revel in the sound of your instrument as you explore the beauty of Baroque music. You might find that your own relationship with your instrument changes as this music begins to shape how you listen and play.