Beginning Level Music
Grazyna Bacewicz, Latwe Utwory (Easy Pieces), Vol. 1
Five short pieces, all 1st position (some optional 3rd position). Nice mix of tempos. Contemporary but accessible!
Published by PWM
Mary Cohen, Superstudies, Book 1
Fun, musical etudes targeted at children, most no longer than half page. Some use of 1/2-string harmonic for shifting preparation.
Published by Faber
Caroline Lumsden, Witches' Brew (open strings and 1st finger only), Wizard's Potion (1st and 2nd finger patterns)
So fun! Cutest illustrations ever, sophisticated rhythms taught through ghoulish words in Witches Brew, great cd included, cool effects.
Published by Peters
Sally O'Reilly, Fiddle Magic
Very short, very well-organized progressive technical exercises with adorable pictures. Think Sevcik made palatable!
Published by Kjos
Sally O'Reilly, Fiddle Rhythms
Rhythms introduced by way of pies-- apple, chocolate, rhubarb, etc.-- incorporated into Twinkle and other tunes. Will make you hungry!
Published by Kjos
Josephine Trott, Easy and Progressive Violin Duets
Each duet has an etude focusing on a technical point of the duet to help students develop.
Published by Sleepy Puppy Press
Five short pieces, all 1st position (some optional 3rd position). Nice mix of tempos. Contemporary but accessible!
Published by PWM
Mary Cohen, Superstudies, Book 1
Fun, musical etudes targeted at children, most no longer than half page. Some use of 1/2-string harmonic for shifting preparation.
Published by Faber
Caroline Lumsden, Witches' Brew (open strings and 1st finger only), Wizard's Potion (1st and 2nd finger patterns)
So fun! Cutest illustrations ever, sophisticated rhythms taught through ghoulish words in Witches Brew, great cd included, cool effects.
Published by Peters
Sally O'Reilly, Fiddle Magic
Very short, very well-organized progressive technical exercises with adorable pictures. Think Sevcik made palatable!
Published by Kjos
Sally O'Reilly, Fiddle Rhythms
Rhythms introduced by way of pies-- apple, chocolate, rhubarb, etc.-- incorporated into Twinkle and other tunes. Will make you hungry!
Published by Kjos
Josephine Trott, Easy and Progressive Violin Duets
Each duet has an etude focusing on a technical point of the duet to help students develop.
Published by Sleepy Puppy Press
Intermediate 1 Level Music
Elfrida Andree, Tva Romanser (Two Romances)
Two good pieces for working on legato, shifting and vibrato. Edition does not include fingering.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Grazyna Bacewicz, Latwe Utwory (Easy Pieces), Vol. 2
Five short pieces, using 1st and 3rd positions. Nice mix of tempos. Contemporary but accessible!
Published by PWM
Rebecca Clarke, Chinese Puzzle
All pizzicato till the very end. Pentatonic, multiple meters, harmonics. Cute!
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Superstudies, Book 2
A mix of longer etudes (1-2 pages) in 1st position and in 1st and 3rd. More chromatic alterations, sophisticated rhythmic concepts.
Published by Faber
Mary Cohen, Technique Takes Off!
Really fun etudes that explore a variety of bowing techniques, as well as double stops and chromatic fingering. 3 of the 14 above 3rd pos.
Published by Faber
Mary Cohen, More Technique Takes Off!
15 etudes, 10 are duets (3 of which also written as solo pieces with double stops). Lots of styles, from Baroque to Impressionist to fiddling.
Published by Faber
Franziska Lebrun, Sonata in F major
Classical-period sonata in which the violin accompanies the piano. Playable in 1st pos. but really needs 3rd. Two movements.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Six Morceaux
Rarely above 3rd position (the sixth piece, Tarentelle, goes into 5th and 7th). Some fast and flashy, some lyrical.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Two good pieces for working on legato, shifting and vibrato. Edition does not include fingering.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Grazyna Bacewicz, Latwe Utwory (Easy Pieces), Vol. 2
Five short pieces, using 1st and 3rd positions. Nice mix of tempos. Contemporary but accessible!
Published by PWM
Rebecca Clarke, Chinese Puzzle
All pizzicato till the very end. Pentatonic, multiple meters, harmonics. Cute!
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Superstudies, Book 2
A mix of longer etudes (1-2 pages) in 1st position and in 1st and 3rd. More chromatic alterations, sophisticated rhythmic concepts.
Published by Faber
Mary Cohen, Technique Takes Off!
Really fun etudes that explore a variety of bowing techniques, as well as double stops and chromatic fingering. 3 of the 14 above 3rd pos.
Published by Faber
Mary Cohen, More Technique Takes Off!
15 etudes, 10 are duets (3 of which also written as solo pieces with double stops). Lots of styles, from Baroque to Impressionist to fiddling.
Published by Faber
Franziska Lebrun, Sonata in F major
Classical-period sonata in which the violin accompanies the piano. Playable in 1st pos. but really needs 3rd. Two movements.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Six Morceaux
Rarely above 3rd position (the sixth piece, Tarentelle, goes into 5th and 7th). Some fast and flashy, some lyrical.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Intermediate 2 Level Music
Amy Beach, Barcarolle
Transcribed from a piano work by Beach herself. On the harder end of this level, with some 6th position, but less chromatic.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Amy Beach, Berceuse
Lovely lullaby with mute.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company in "Music for Violin and Piano" by Beach
Rebecca Clarke, Lullaby
Dark and repetitious-- I think it would give me nightmares!
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Jazz Technique Takes Off!
15 etudes, 3 in duet form, exploring all kinds of jazz styles. 1st-3rd pos., but sophisticated rhythms and harmonies.
Published by Faber
Maddalena Lombardini-Sirmen, Six Duettos
Classical period duets by a virtuoso of her time. Two movements each with a variety of tempos and characters.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Emilie Mayer, Notturno
D minor Andante, with a couple brief excursions up to 6th pos. Lyrical but includes passagework.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Marga Richter, Two Duets for Two Violins
Short duets: a haunting "Pavanne" followed by a manic chase ("Two for Tea") that interweaves the tune "Tea for Two" in a twisted way. Fun!
Published by Prairie Dawg Press
Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Sonatine
Beautiful three-movement work, the first slow and lyrical, second and third more "gypsy" in nature. Great young recital piece!
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Transcribed from a piano work by Beach herself. On the harder end of this level, with some 6th position, but less chromatic.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Amy Beach, Berceuse
Lovely lullaby with mute.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company in "Music for Violin and Piano" by Beach
Rebecca Clarke, Lullaby
Dark and repetitious-- I think it would give me nightmares!
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Jazz Technique Takes Off!
15 etudes, 3 in duet form, exploring all kinds of jazz styles. 1st-3rd pos., but sophisticated rhythms and harmonies.
Published by Faber
Maddalena Lombardini-Sirmen, Six Duettos
Classical period duets by a virtuoso of her time. Two movements each with a variety of tempos and characters.
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Emilie Mayer, Notturno
D minor Andante, with a couple brief excursions up to 6th pos. Lyrical but includes passagework.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Marga Richter, Two Duets for Two Violins
Short duets: a haunting "Pavanne" followed by a manic chase ("Two for Tea") that interweaves the tune "Tea for Two" in a twisted way. Fun!
Published by Prairie Dawg Press
Pauline Viardot-Garcia, Sonatine
Beautiful three-movement work, the first slow and lyrical, second and third more "gypsy" in nature. Great young recital piece!
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Advanced Level Music
Jean Ahn, Froggy Froggy
Based on Korean folksongs, many contemporary playing techniques and rhythmically complex. www.jeanahn.com
Violin and piano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeDu3pY-Q28 also for viola and piano https://youtu.be/DcBs9O2M9wY?t=1756
Sheet music available at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21893936 (violin) and https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21893938 (viola)
Amy Beach, Lento espressivo, op. 125
Rather dark and chromatic salon piece, with a brief section in six flats (also the highest positions there). Melancholy and gorgeous!
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Amy Beach, Romance
Dedicated to Maud Powell. Another short salon piece, a little happier than the Lento espressivo. Edition below has quite a few 8va passages.
Published by Masters Music
Lili Boulanger, D'un matin de printemps
Somewhat manic, agitated piece with Impressionist harmonies.
Available on ISMLP
Lili Boulanger, Nocturne and Cortege
Slow, fluid Nocturne followed by a showy Cortege in B major.
Available on ISMLP
Rebecca Clarke, Dumka: Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola, with Piano
A free-wheeling gypsy-esque duo in modern idiom. Viola part equal to if not harder than violin.
Published by Oxford University Press
Rebecca Clarke, Midsummer Moon
Both impressionistic and dissonant, the middle section features flashy passagework. Some pentatonic runs.
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Technique Flies High!
14 studies, some in contemporary idiom with asymmetric meters and dissonance.
Published by Faber
Katherine Hoover, Double Concerto (two violins and orchestra or piano)
Hoover describes her aim here to write a piece that is "grateful and warm, with lyricism and a sense of playfulness."
Published by Papagena Press
Luise Adolpha Le Beau, Romanze
Alternates between Andante and Allegro. Allegro features chords and double stops, runs. Good Romantic composer!
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Clara Schumann, Romanze
Free-flowing Andante in Db major. Key presents main problems, with chromatic alterations which would frighten the less advanced.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Augusta Read Thomas, Rush
"A kind of rich fanfare which shows off the virtuosity of the soloist," inspired by the idea of coffee and sugar rushes. Solo violin, 2 minutes.
Published by G. Schirmer
Meira Warshauer, Bracha
Spiritual, haunting piece for violin and piano. Extended violin solo sections, multiple meters, passages in sixths.
Published by Oxford University Press
Judith Weir, Atlantic Drift
Three pieces for two violins, with Celtic and North American fiddle inspiration.
Published by Chester Music
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Partita
Five-movement suite for violin and piano. Not technically as difficult as some, but modern idiom/tonal language a challenge. Great piece!
Published by Merion Music, available through Theodore Presser Company.
Based on Korean folksongs, many contemporary playing techniques and rhythmically complex. www.jeanahn.com
Violin and piano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeDu3pY-Q28 also for viola and piano https://youtu.be/DcBs9O2M9wY?t=1756
Sheet music available at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21893936 (violin) and https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21893938 (viola)
Amy Beach, Lento espressivo, op. 125
Rather dark and chromatic salon piece, with a brief section in six flats (also the highest positions there). Melancholy and gorgeous!
Published by Hildegard Publishing Company
Amy Beach, Romance
Dedicated to Maud Powell. Another short salon piece, a little happier than the Lento espressivo. Edition below has quite a few 8va passages.
Published by Masters Music
Lili Boulanger, D'un matin de printemps
Somewhat manic, agitated piece with Impressionist harmonies.
Available on ISMLP
Lili Boulanger, Nocturne and Cortege
Slow, fluid Nocturne followed by a showy Cortege in B major.
Available on ISMLP
Rebecca Clarke, Dumka: Duo Concertante for Violin and Viola, with Piano
A free-wheeling gypsy-esque duo in modern idiom. Viola part equal to if not harder than violin.
Published by Oxford University Press
Rebecca Clarke, Midsummer Moon
Both impressionistic and dissonant, the middle section features flashy passagework. Some pentatonic runs.
Published by Oxford University Press in "Shorter Pieces for Violin and Piano" by Clarke
Mary Cohen, Technique Flies High!
14 studies, some in contemporary idiom with asymmetric meters and dissonance.
Published by Faber
Katherine Hoover, Double Concerto (two violins and orchestra or piano)
Hoover describes her aim here to write a piece that is "grateful and warm, with lyricism and a sense of playfulness."
Published by Papagena Press
Luise Adolpha Le Beau, Romanze
Alternates between Andante and Allegro. Allegro features chords and double stops, runs. Good Romantic composer!
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Clara Schumann, Romanze
Free-flowing Andante in Db major. Key presents main problems, with chromatic alterations which would frighten the less advanced.
Included in "Violinmusik von Komponistinnen" (Heller/Rieger). Published by Schott.
Augusta Read Thomas, Rush
"A kind of rich fanfare which shows off the virtuosity of the soloist," inspired by the idea of coffee and sugar rushes. Solo violin, 2 minutes.
Published by G. Schirmer
Meira Warshauer, Bracha
Spiritual, haunting piece for violin and piano. Extended violin solo sections, multiple meters, passages in sixths.
Published by Oxford University Press
Judith Weir, Atlantic Drift
Three pieces for two violins, with Celtic and North American fiddle inspiration.
Published by Chester Music
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, Partita
Five-movement suite for violin and piano. Not technically as difficult as some, but modern idiom/tonal language a challenge. Great piece!
Published by Merion Music, available through Theodore Presser Company.