To see the summer sky for Violin and Viola falls into four movements. The first movement opens with the two instruments sounding almost as one playing very high glassy harmonics. Gradually an expressive viola solo emerges withboth instruments descending to their lower ranges. A livelier quasi scherzando solo for violin accompanied by viola pedal notes leads to a chorale like passage the violin at the top of its range whilst the viola is at itslowest. The movement ends with the two instruments coming together once again on a unison Bb and fades away almost as it has begun but this time in the husky lower registers.The second movement is much faster and openswith a downward flurry for both instruments. A continuous pizzicato line for viola is interrupted by more violent passages in the violin. The two instruments come together in a dance-like passage before the roles are reversed.Finally an ecstatic melody surfaces in the viola and is later continued in the violin before the movement closes with the spiky figures of its opening the two instruments ending in unison.The third movement encompasses isthe most delicate and still music of the piece. After a very tranquil opening an expressive violin melody is accompanied by a gentle rocking figure in the viola. Tentative at first intensity and speed gather until the violinreaches stratospheric heights. Both of the instruments play at the extremes of their registers before moving to common ground for a more lively textural passage. This is followed by a passionate reminder of the movement’s opening gradually fading away to nothing.The piece ends with a Moto Perpetuo. The instruments begin by dovetailing a single line which develops into two strands before a more violent section appears punctuated by strident doublestops. Both instruments have slightly manic solo episodes before the movement quickly dies away in the single line of its opening

Around 1800 Beethoven seems to have completely distanced himself from chamber music for wind. In letters to his publisher we read that he did not have any particular regard for his Septet op. 20 and the Sextet op. 71; furthermore he did not write any new works for wind ensembles.By contrast he ennobled his Trio op. 87 originally for two oboes and cor anglais by making an additional version for two violins and viola. This charming work ispublished following the Urtext in the Beethoven Complete Edition and is a welcome addition to the repertoire for these instruments for which a great deal has not otherwise been composed.

Viola-Violn-Many selections in this volume are unique and until now have been inaccessible to the string ensemble repertoire. These pieces are intended for multiple strings for performance in the classroom as well as performance in concerts.Several players may be used on each part. Whenever possible every effort was made to keep the viola and violoncello/double bass parts melodic rather than simply filling in the various harmonic chord progressions. The pieces maybe performed as a solo for each instrument (Violin 1 Violin 2 Viola or Cello) with piano accompaniment or as duets or trios as well as full orchestra. If performed with full orchestra the piano accompaniment is not necessary.The string ensemble series meets all standards for ASTA with NSOA (American String Teachers Association/National School Orchestra Association) and Suzuki Association of the Americas Inc. Free piano accompaniment AND ensemblescore downloads are available for use with this title.