Anthologies of music are great places to discover new music, add variety to your repertoire, and can also serve as introductions to particular musical styles, eras, or lesser-known repertoire. For amateur musicians, they can also be sources for study, recital pieces and chamber music to play with friends. Often anthologies are also carefully graded, offering…

“Méditation” from Thaïs is a favorite for student violinists (and violists) looking to develop their vibrato and lyrical phrasing. It happens to be an audience favorite as well, making it a good choice to play for non-musician family members. But there is so much music beyond Massenet’s famous intermezzo that can serve the purpose of developing musical…

A brilliant 20th-century voice rooted in Polish tradition Grażyna Bacewicz (1909–1969) was a celebrated Polish composer, violinist, and educator whose music is finally gaining the international recognition it deserves. A well-known, yet underrepresented, figure in 20th-century classical music, Bacewicz wrote extensively for the violin, creating works that are filled with character, rewarding to play, and…

Standard, overlooked, and contemporary violin repertoire for adult learners and amateurs When I was growing up, I studied violin through the Suzuki Method, which heavily emphasizes baroque repertoire. After returning to the instrument as an adult, I found myself interested in exploring a wider variety of music. I still love Baroque music, but I wanted…