Par BERIO LUCIANO. This set of arrangements of Luciano Berio’s “Duetti”, originally for two violins, represents a fascinating expansion of the limited repertoire for two violas. Berio originally conceived these duets as a collection of occasional pieces, each dedicated to someone who was close to him, rather like Elgar’s “Enigma” Variations, but they eventually developed into a full compositional project with pedagogical overtones. As such, there is a wide variation in technical demands, from pieces playable by beginners up to a duet that foreshadows the skills required for Berio’s “Sequenza” for the viola. Taken as a whole, over some years of study, the “Duetti” can gently lead players into the mysteries of contemporary music; however, the composer also envisaged them in a concert performance of the complete cycle with at least 24 players of differing abilities taking turns to play. In this guise, it might be an intriguing idea to mix them with the original version for two violins (UE17757), although it must be understood that the two versions are not mutually compatible to be played as violin/viola duets./ Répertoire / 2 Altos

A viola method for children-For more than three decades the Sassmannshaus Tradition has been the household name for excellence in beginner string methods in German-speaking countries. More than half a million students have successfully learned to play string instruments using this publication.The publication of the four Violin books in 2008 in a fully adapted English version has been a big success. On the back of this success story Bärenreiter published the four books for Cello in 2009 and now presents the four books for Viola in a newly adapted version for today's English speaking children.What makes this Viola method so unique?Large print notes and texts as wellas many colourful illustrations are ideal for pre-school as well as school children.Note reading is emphasised from the first lesson encouraging ensemble playing from the very beginning.Songs and scales in different positions are easily mastered within the first year of playing to ensure that children are not confined to first position playing.Advanced viola techniques such as varied bow strokes and shifting are introduced in a basic form.