A real treasure trove in the scarce Romantic viola literature: Vol. 1 (Schott, ED 22254) of the popular Pièces des concours series are now followed by Vol. 2 (ED 22255) and Vol. 3 (ED 22256).The pieces were performed in final examinations at the famous Conservatoire de Paris between 1897 and 1969. The publication is based on the first editions. In order to make it easier to approach the works, 'modern' fingerings and common bowing instructions were added to the pieces so that they can be played at sight.Vol. 2 contains pieces by Stan Golestan, Eugène Cools, Philippe Gaubert, and Gabriel Grovlez.Further pieces:Vol. 1 with pieces by Charles-Edouard Lefebvre, Paul Rougnon, Henri Marteau, and Léon HonnoréVol. 3 with works by Hans Sitt, Heinrich Arends and Léon Firket / Alto Et Piano

Commissioned by the Wigmore Hall for the composer's 60th birthday with funds from ACNI.'viola:piano is one of a set of 6 pieces which I wrote in 2008 and 2009. Two of the others violin:piano and cello:piano requirethe instrumentalists to play at different tempi from each other throughout. In this piece the players are playing together but their material is for the most part quite different and for the first 12 minutes the two partshave little in common. It is only after this that they begin a more conventional contrapuntal relationship. This is the first of these pieces to be premiered. It was commissioned by the Wigmore Hall with funding from the ArtsCouncil of Ireland. The piece is dedicated to Mary R?rich.'????????????- Kevin Volans