Violin virtuosity and instructional literature for the viola: Henri Vieuxtemps capriccio op. 55 pour alto seul ‘hommage a Paganini’, Michael Kugel ‘Prelude ysaye’ for viola solo
Violin virtuosity and instructional literature for the viola: Henri Vieuxtemps capriccio op. 55 pour alto seul ‘hommage a Paganini’, Michael Kugel ‘Prelude ysaye’ for viola solo

Summary/Abstract: Comparisons between the violin and viola continue to preoccupy performers, composers, and organologists. Such correspondences remain relevant not for the viola’s lack of mechanical potential or repertoire, but because of differences of timbre and technique. Such dissimilarities are extremely fruitful, driving the viola fully to realize its virtuoso potential. Two works – one from the nineteenth century (Vieuxtemps Capriccio Op.55, Hommage a Paganini) the other from the twentieth (Kugel Prelude Ysaye) – have been chosen for their indebtedness to the relevant instructional violin literature, and for being representative of the viola’s technical and expressive possibilities. Both pieces were written in memory of great violin virtuosos, and their display of the viola’s capacity for the appropriate bravura is compelling.

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