Friedrich Hermann

Concert Studies op. 18

Only few etude works were originally conceived for the viola – that of Leipzig composer Friedrich Hermann is one of them. In 1881 the pupil of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy wrote six virtuoso etudes in which the viola can truly shine as a solo instrument. Polyphonic passages, cantabile two-part writing, sophisticated harmonics and furious chromatic cascades demand the utmost technical sovereignty – from double stops to passages in the highest positions – and combine virtuosity with rousing melodies. This is why these concert studies enjoy high regard in teaching and at competitions to this day.

For this edition, none other than Tabea Zimmermann has provided the fingerings and bowings – violists with soloistic ambitions will find valuable inspiration here!