Classical Music | Music for Viola

Recorded on 04/08/2006, uploaded on 04/08/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Franz Liszt composed his Romance oubilée in 1880. It was originally written for the viola alto, a larger version of the standard viola invented by Hermann Ritter and designed to improve the instrument’s sound. Eventually, however, the piece was transcribed for violin or cello, as well as for piano solo. Serene, yet tinged with melancholy, the piece opens with a poignant motif stated by the soloist. The principal melody in E minor, taken from this motif, appears over a sparse accompaniment from the piano, but nevertheless increases in intensity as the harmonies become farther removed from the tonic. Changing from a triple to a duple meter, a brief transition creates a growing feeling of optimism and expectation, leading the music into the key of the tonic major. In this new key, the melody takes on an encouraging tone and builds towards a warm forte at its conclusion. However, the music turns introspective again with a cadenza but still retains its optimistic demeanor. The music remains in this thoughtful state through to the end of the piece. With sustained chords in the piano, a hymn-like solemnity is created, delicately embellished by the soloist, and the piece closes with a beautiful ascension through the tonic triad.     Joseph DuBose