Sonata , op. 87, for Viola solo

This sonata for viola solo was composed in 1999. The C-string of the solo instrument is tuned a semitone lower for the entire piece in order to give the piece a darker timbre and to define the melodic/harmonic form from the very first bars, which runs through all four movements of the work.

I - 'somewhat slow and thoughtful' gradually expands the opening idea into cantilena and pattern, as foreplay to II - Vivacissimo - to play tempered all the time, this movement is a 'Tremolando Tarantella' with contrasting parts, chunky double stops alternating with something gigue-like. III - adagio - is rhapsodic and almost improvisatory, contains a simple, independent melody and combines with IV - where the gigue-like material from the scherzo forms the main substance and continues to develop into a fervent cantabile, not only to calm down again for this movement in the coda, but also in his reminiscence of I also brings the sonata as a whole to rest.

Viola solo, Sonata

• Boosey & Hawkes, 2019

• Boosey & Hawkes, 1999

Sonata, op. 87
for Viola solo
Part‍‍