Essential Repertoire,
Highlighting Unaccompanied Strings
Here at Presto we have been thinking a lot about our customers throughout the globe who are spending much more time at home due to self-isolation and social distancing measures put in place in many parts of the world. You may find yourself struggling to find pieces to play, without access to your usual accompanist, chamber music groups, orchestras and ensembles. We thought it would be a good idea to begin a series of articles focusing on new, bestselling and recommended unaccompanied repertoire. It is perhaps also the perfect time to work on perfecting that technique that you’ve been putting off, or thinking about taking up a new instrument to pass the time.
For the fourth article in this series we will be looking at string instruments. Here you will find some of our bestselling solo violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, ukulele and guitar pieces.
Unaccompanied Violin
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied violin repertoire.
Nicolò Paganini’s works for solo violin are one of the most significant components of his musical production, and consist of compositions written throughout his entire lifetime. This collection highlights various elements of interest, including the exploration of different sounds and instrumental techniques.
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Ysaÿe peppered these challenging works with extraordinary difficulties, dedicating each of them to a virtuoso violinist of his day and tailoring it to suit his special capabilities. Thanks to newly discovered source material, Henle Verlag are able to present a “definitive text” that in many respects supersedes the previously available text from the first edition.
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Violin Phase is a musical work written by minimalist composer Steve Reich in October 1967. Written for violin and pre-recorded tape
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Of the numerous works written for violin, the Mazas etudes occupy a position of eminent importance. The exercises, together with the classical studies of Kreutzer and Rode, create ideal material for purposes of violin study.
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The Sikorski edition of Sonata for Violin Solo, Op. 115 by Sergei Prokofiev.
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Rozsa's Sonate, Op. 40 for solo violin, offering technical challenges whilst being fun to play.
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This Sonata for Solo Violin was completed in March 1944 and was Bartok's penultimate work. It was composed for Yehudi Menuhin, who gave the first performance in New York on 26th November 1944. Typically for Bartok, this is a satisfying if serious and solemn work, but one that will delight with its virtuosic elements and interesting melodic movements.
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A must-have resource for teachers and students. Studies are an established part of every instrumentalist’s training. They place technical problems in musical contexts, and can be invaluable aids for development. This study book brings together a broad selection of repertoire including works by famous pedagogues such as Wohlfahrt, Schradieck and Kayser, as well as folksongs, lesser known gems, contemporary studies and some original compositions.
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Unaccompanied Viola
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied viola repertoire.
Max Reger’s reception of Bach was not limited to the organ and orchestra. Like Bach, Reger wanted to compose sonatas and suites for a solo string instrument that were not merely études, but rather presented a compositional compendium. Among them are his Three Suites for viola solo, Op. 131d. The present Urtext edition of the suites is based on the first edition of 1916, which was prepared using the now lost manuscript.
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Bach's Fantasia Cromatica viola solo, transcribed by Zoltan Kodaly and edited by William Primrose.
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Transcribed from Passacaglia in G minor for Solo Violin.
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Esa-Pekka Salonen's Pentatonic Etude for solo viola written in 2008 and revised in 2014.
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Transcribed for viola by David Dalton from Ten American Cello Études, these pieces are designed to encourage violists to improvise, play chords, use syncopation, and participate in popular musical forms.
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Adam Carse's Viola School of Progressive Studies, Book One. You can also find books two to five here.
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Unaccompanied Cello
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied cello repertoire.
August Wenzinger's edition of Johann Sebastian Bach's famous solo suites for violoncello has become the recognized edition for cellists today. Wenzinger's year-long experience in the field of the performace practice of early music has left its mark on this edition and makes an outstanding guide for an authentic interpretation.
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This fantastic book contains three complete suites from Opus numbers 72, 80 and 87. Each suite has background information written by Benjamin Britten for a more authentic performance.
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Songs And Poems For Solo Cello is a work in seven movements by Philip Glass, written for Wendy Sutter and first performed on February 13th, 2007 by her at the Howard Gilman Performance Space of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York. Originally based on the music of Glass’ film score to Chaotic Harmony. A full performance of this work lasts around 27 minutes.
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This solo sonata was written between 1948 and 1953. The two opposing movements Dialogo and Capriccio follow the generally accepted slow-fast principle, with the second movement being inspired, according to Ligeti's own statement, by Paganini's Capricci.
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In 1915, when Kodály wrote a substantial Sonata for Solo Cello, Bartók commented: This is not a mere imitation of Bach's polyphonic style. That was praise in several ways. His friend's sonata had nothing to do with what was old and German, but rather it was contemporary and Hungarian. And it was new. Kodály was the first person to enhance the cello repertoire with a major solo piece since Bach composed his suites almost two hundred years earlier. He produced an almost incredibly virtuoso sonata and one is tempted to ask why he did not further develop it into a string quartet.
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The Passacaglia for Violoncello Solo, one of Walton's last works, was commissioned by Mstislav Rostropovich and first performed in 1982. The short Tema, published for the first time, was written in 1970 as part of a collective composition for the Prince of Wales.
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This suite for solo cello was composed in 1926 and is dedicated to the German cellist Francesco von Mendelssohn. It is suitable for advanced players and professionals.
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Unaccompanied Double Bass
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied double bass repertoire.
Finnish Double Bass virtuoso Teppo Hauta-Aho has created a rich and expressive piece for the solo Double Bass that pushes the instrument to its tonal and technical limits. It is a hugely popular piece for international competition.
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A collection of short works of varying difficulty by composers of various nationalities. Includes works by David Farquahar, Knut Guettler, Michael Johnson, Alan Rea, Stuart Sankey, Jan Segers and Emil Tabakov.
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This virtuosic piece by composer-bassist Jon Deak combines narration and music in an attempt to rehabilitate the reputation of the unhappy villain of many childhood tales. A challenging piece for the accomplished player, B. B. Wolf will delight children and adults alike.
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Domenico Dragonetti's Twelve Waltzes, Op. 67 for Double Bass Solo. Edited by Tobias Glockler.
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Nicholas Recuber's transcription of Georg Philipp Telemann's Fantasies for Double Bass promises to bridge the gap between the famous double bass sonatas by Marcello and Telemann and the cello suites of J.S. Bach. With this edition, modern bassists can enjoy a beautiful new addition to the instrument's repertoire with plenty of room for interpretation. Inspired by Nobuko Imai's recorded performance. Recuber left passages that can be played in multiple positions or strings unmarked, with his interpretations noted only where he felt strongly about tone or color.
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Unaccompanied Harp
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied harp repertoire.
Gabriel Fauré's Impromptu, Op. 86 for Harp.
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Written in 1926 for Sidonie Goosen this piece remained unperformed until 1999 when it received it's world premier to celebrate her 100th Birthday. Performed on the 20th October 1999 by harpist Hugh Webb.
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Jesus Guridi was a Spanish composer and organist, who championed the continued use and preservation of Basque folk music. He is best remembered for his superb orchestral works such as Basque Melodies, which were often transcribed for the Piano. Guridi wrote seven pieces for the Harp, of which Viejo Zortzico is certainly the most popular today. Composed in 1949 and premiered in 1950, it wasn’t published until 1960. It is inspired by the traditional Basque dance of the same name, a popular reel in 5/8 time.
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Impromptu Para Arpa is a piece for solo harp. It was composed in 1959 following a commission from the Royal Music Conservatory of Madrid, and first performed by Ana María Martini Gil in the same year. Joaquin Rodrigo was born in Valencia, and lost his sight to diphtheria at the age of three, which is believed to have heightened his hearing and inspired him to pursue a musical career. He began to study music five years later, and became one of Spain’s most distinguished composers, musicologists, and pedagogues.
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Rota's Sarabande e toccata for harp was written in 1945, three years before his Concerto for the same instrument. Its neoclassical form is suggested in its title.
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The popular 'Hedwig's Theme' and 'Fluffy's Harp' from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by John Williams.
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Jean-Michel Damase was a French pianist, conductor and composer of classical music. Born in Bordeaux, the son of harpist Micheline Kahn, Damase composed a number of works for harp. Here are his twelve etudes for harp.
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Unaccompanied Ukulele
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied ukulele repertoire.
From Lute to Uke: Early Music for Ukulele is a collection of twenty-four pieces of early lute music brilliantly arranged for the ukulele by classical guitarist and uke player, Tony Mizen. All arrangements are for GCEA-tuning and include ukulele tablature as well as music notation. Also featured is a brief history of the lute and each of the individual pieces.
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Strum a different song every day with easy arrangements of 365 of your favourite songs in one big songbook! The Daily Ukulele features ukulele arrangements that feature melody, lyrics and uke chord grids and are in ukulele-friendly keys. Also features a tips & techniques section, chord chart, and vintage ukulele-themed photos and art throughout. The Daily Ukulele offers ukulele fun all year long!
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English Folk Tunes for Ukulele presents a collection of thirty-seven pieces for solo fingerstyle ukulele playing. Drawn from the rich tradition of English folk music with tunes covering a range of styles, including some popular, as well as lesser known pieces, experienced ukulele player and teacher Colin Tribe provides notes on all of the pieces, as well as technical aspects of the playing style. Tablature staves are included alongside standard notation for each tune to simplify the reading of the music and show fretting.
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Ukulele Quest is an ideal first ukulele book that teaches many musical styles, including rock, reggae and the blues. This colourful tutor provides a great introduction to chord charts, how to read music and musical concepts such as dynamics, pitch and tempo. Come on a quest into the world of music and learn how to play the ukulele!
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Unaccompanied Guitar
Below you will find our selection of some well-known and popular unaccompanied guitar repertoire.
You can browse our entire classical guitar category here. >>
This volume contains a selection of some of the most famous pieces for guitar by the Cuban Leo Brouwer, including a new edition of El decameron negro, one of his most frequently performed compositions. Contains nineteen pieces for guitar.
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The British guitarist John W. Duarte was a well-known personality in the guitar world both at home and abroad: he composed, taught, directed summer schools, produced several books on guitar technique and worked too as a guitar journalist. His compositions of almost one hundred and fifty works for guitar and lute incorporate an exceedingly wide range of musical styles. This album offers a precious selection of pieces that reflect his versatility as a composer, arranger and guitarist. Each one of these gems embraces so many aspects of playing the classical guitar - a timeless window of exciting repertoire.
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Linnemann's Suite for Lovers includes: Sempre Solo, Head in the Clouds, Jasmine, Motorway Fever, Canzone d'amore, Souvenir, A Summer Night's Dreaming
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Thomas Fellow, world-leading guitarist, adds another original twist to his Guitar Music Collection. This book of Ten Crossover Appetizers now addresses interested students as well as ambitious advanced players. The pieces are at an intermediate level and benefit from the additional tablature notation which opens up this repertoire to those who cannot read standard music notation. Fingerfood Light includes percussive catchy tunes as well as sonorous ballads, and also contains pieces inspired by Piazzolla and movie soundtracks. Many of the ten pieces in this book are suitable for classical guitar as well as steel string guitar.
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From Folk to Classical 1 is a mouth-watering collection of thirty arrangements for classical guitar by Paul Coles. The classical pieces include many favourites, including a few you would not expect to hear on the guitar, such as Hall of the Mountain King and Three little Maids from School, but they really work! Traditional folk numbers are not neglected, with Sweet Molly Malone and Skye Boat Song among the best known. The arrangements are for intermediate players and Paul Coles has offered fingering help for both left and right hands.
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Over fifty favorite repertoire pieces written in standard notation and tablature.
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Joaquín Rodrigo's Invocación y Danza: Homenaje a Manuel de Falla for solo guitar.
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Two classical guitar compositions by Isaac Albéniz, transcribed by Andres Segovia.
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Ellena Taylor - Sheet Music and Books Manager
