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Viola play-along
Sheet music with accompaniment CD

Now you can play with your own orchestra!

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13 famous tunes
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Viola play-along are recordings of musical works without the soloist. They are very useful for practicing purposes, before a performance, or exam or audition, especially in case of a concerto, where it's quite difficult to have an orchestra at hand, for you to rehearse all the time you want.

Here there are also some chamber music works where the viola has a prominent part and viola solos, that is pieces for viola and orchestra or viola and piano. They come in a sheet music/book-CD set.

You can also use them to have your own complete performance (to play solo accompanied by a real orchestra), just for fun!

Some people know these as Music Minus One, which actually is a brand name, a company that started to produce recordings of orchestral works without the soloist, to be used as accompaniment. However, now there are more companies producing this sort of recording and often music minus one is used generically to refer to them. Another term for them is play along (or play-along), used also for recording of one solo instrument, especially for beginners to practice. So, if you look for these recordings, it's better to use both expressions to get more results.

Luckily for you, here you don't need to spend a lot of time searching your music minus one recordings. Here is a wealth of music for all levels and tastes, from modern movie themes, songs, classical music, chamber music with piano, trios, quartets, quintets, sonatas, viola concertos. I'm sure you'll find something you like!

Famous tunes for solo viola or accompanied with piano or orchestra

The following ones are Music Minus One recordings that play the viola solo part, exactly what you will play. You can listen to them and play on your own or play along with the CD. Both are good ways to practice. A lot of popular themes from songs, movies, very useful also for beginners of all ages!


Kurt Weill Songs (Viola and Piano with a CD of Performance and Play-Along Tracks). By Kurt Weill (1900-1950). Arranged by Martin Reiter. For Viola, Piano Accompaniment. String Solo. Book with CD. Universal Edition #UE34325. Published by Universal Edition (HL.49019700)

...more info

Lennon and McCartney Solos - Viola By The Beatles. Viola solo songbook and accompaniment CD for solo viola. 12 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

Contents
All My Loving, And I Love Her, Can't Buy Me Love, Come Together, Eleanor Rigby, Lady Madonna, The Long And Winding Road, Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Oh! Darling, Ticket To Ride, Yesterday


Volume 100 - St. Louis Blues - Dixieland Classics Book and accompaniment CD for singers, vocalists, drums, bass, guitar, flute, clarinet, violin, viola, piano, keyboard, organ, saxophone, trombone, trumpet harmonica. Celebrate the music of great innovators who started in all with these Dixieland favorites. Level: Intermediate/Advanced. Series: Jamey Aebersold Standards Play-Along. Published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz.

Disney Solos - Viola Instrumental solo book and accompaniment CD for viola. 12 Disney favorites with a CD that lets you play along with a full band. 24 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.
Contents
Just Can't Wait To Be King, Can You Feel The Love Tonight,
Colors Of The Wind, You've Got A Friend In Me, The Bells Of Notre Dame, Zero To Hero, Reflection, You'll Be In My Heart (Pop Version), Be Our Guest, Friend Like Me, Part Of Your World, Under The Sea

Pirates of the Caribbean (Viola) Instrumental solo book and accompaniment CD for viola solo. Series: Hal Leonard Instrumental Play-Along. 24 pages. Published by Hal Leonard. 16 pieces
Contents
The Medallion Calls, The Black Pearl, To The Pirate's Cave!, One Last Shot, He's A Pirate, Blood Ritual, Moonlight Serenade, Underwater March, Davy Jones, Davy Jones Plays His Organ, Dinner Is Served, I've Got My Eye On You, Jack Sparrow, The Kraken

Essential Elements 2000 for Strings Plus DVD Viola. By Various. EE2000. Play Along. Book & CD & DVD Package. 48 pages. Published by Hal Leonard Corporation.

Essential Elements for Strings

features both familiar songs and specially designed exercises, created and arranged for the classroom in a unison-learning environment, as well as instrument-specific exercises to focus each student on the unique characteristics of their own instrument. EE provides both teachers and students with a wealth of materials to develop total musicianship, even at the beginning stages.

Beauty And The Beast By Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman. Book and accompaniment CD for solo violin, solo viola (optional), solo cello (optional) and orchestra accompaniment (on audio CD only). From the Disney animated motion picture "Beauty And The Beast". 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

The Lord of the Rings - Instrumental Solos (Viola/Piano) By Howard Shore, edited by Bill Gallifor, Jeannette DeLisa. Instrumental solo/piano book and accompaniment CD for viola solo and piano accompaniment. Level 2-3. 80 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Contents
The Prophecy, In Dreams, Concerning Hobbits, Many Meetings, The Black Rider, Gollum's Song, Rohan, Evenstar, Forth Eorlingas, Into the West, The Steward of Gondor, Minas Tirith

English & Irish Duets For Violin with Optional Second Part for Viola. This edition: 1023198401. De Haske Play-Along Book. Play Along. 24 pages. Published by DeHaske Publications.

English & Irish Duets For Cello with Optional Second Part for Viola. This edition: 1023199. De Haske Play-Along Book. Play Along. 24 pages. Published by DeHaske Publications


My Very Best Christmas, Viola Edition 17 Viola Solos, Duets, and a play-along CD on Christmas favorites. Arranged and edited by Karen Khanagov. Level: Beginning. Book/CD Set. 88 pages. Published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc.
Contents
Joy to the World, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Deck the Halls, Angels From the Realms of Glory, Away in a Manger, Infant Holy, Infant Lowly, Hark, the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, What Child is This?, Angels We Have Heard on High, Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, We Three Kings, O Holy Night

Star Wars - Episodes I, II & III (Viola/Piano) Music by John Williams. Instrumental solo book and accompaniment CD for viola solo and piano accompaniment. Level 2-3. 66 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Contents
Star Wars (Main Title), Duel of the Fates, Qui-Gon's Funeral, Augie's Great Municipal Band, Across the Stars, The Imperial March, The Meadow Picnic, May the Force Be With You, Princess Leia's Theme, Battle of the Heroes, The Throne Room

Harry Potter and the Chamber Of Secrets (Viola/Piano) By John Williams, arranged by Bill Galliford, Ethan Neuburg, Tod Edmondson. Viola solo book and piano accompaniment CD. 72 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Contents
The Chamber of Secrets, Dobby the House Elf, Family Portrait, Fawkes the Phoenix, Gilderoy Lockhart, Harry's Wondrous World, Hedwig's Theme, Moaning Myrtle, Nimbus 2000

Essential Rock for Viola By Various. Instrumental Folio. Play Along. Softcover with CD. 24 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.
Contents
Low Rider, Don't Stop, Best Of My Love, Jump, La Grange, Aqualung, Brown Eyed Girl, Crocodile Rock, Fly Like An Eagle, Free Bird, I Want You To Want Me, Maggie May, Walk This Way, You May Be Right, White Wedding

Selections from Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire (Instrumental Solos) Music by Patrick Doyle. Set of performance parts and accompaniment CD for viola and piano accompaniment. 66 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Contents
Death of Cedric, Foxtrot Fleur, Harry in Winter, Potter Waltz, The Quidditch World Cup (The Irish), Hogwarts' March, Neville's Waltz, Hogwarts' Hymn, Hedwig's Theme

Christmas Instrumental Solos - Viola (Book & CD) (Carols And Traditional) Arranged by Bill Galliford, Ethan Neuburg, Tod Edmondson. Instrumental solo book and examples / accompaniment CD for viola. 96 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing


Wicked (Viola) Viola Play-Along Pack. By Stephen Schwartz. Instrumental Folio. Play Along. Softcover with CD. Published by Hal Leonard.
13 songs from the Broadway sensation arranged for solo viola with a great accompaniment CD.
Contents
Wonderful, No One Mourns The Wicked, The Wizard And I, What Is This Feeling?, Dancing Through Life, Popular, I'm Not That Girl, One Short Day, Defying Gravity, I Couldn't Be Happier, As Long As You're Mine, No Good Deed, For Good

14 Easy Tunes for Viola Arranged by Colin Cowles. This edition: F830. Fentone Play Along Books. Play Along. BOOK W/CD. 32 pages. Published by Fentone Music/De Haske.

Selected Studies (Viola) For the Beginner Viola Player. Arranged by Gunter Van Rompaey, Nico Dezaire. This edition: 1043672. De Haske Play-Along Book. Play Along. BOOK W/CD. 64 pages. Published by De Haske Publications.

Movie Instrumental Solos for Strings - Viola (Book and CD) Instrumental solo book and accompaniment CD for viola. Level 2-3. 19 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Contents
In Dreams, Across the Stars, Duel of the Fates, Fawkes the Phoenix, Gollum's Song, Goldfinger, Hedwig's Theme, October Sky, Theme from Jurassic Park, James Bond Theme


Play-along of Classical chamber music with(out) the viola

Here are some chamber music works where the viola has an important part, with the play along CD you'll be able to practice with all the rest of your ensemble. Duos viola and piano, trios, quartets, quintets.

Classical Favorites for Viola by Various. Instrumental Folio. Play Along. Softcover with CD. 16 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.
Contents
15 classic solos. Includes: Ave Maria (Schubert), Blue Danube Waltz (Strauss, Jr.), Fur Elise (Beethoven), Largo (Handel), Minuet in G (Bach), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Symphony No. 9 in E Minor (From the New World), Second Movement Excerpt (Dvorak), Morning, Pavane, Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, First Movement Excerpt, Habanera, Triumphal March, The Sleeping Beauty Waltz, Can Can, La donna è mobile

Viola Solos with piano accompaniment (Digitally Remastered 2 CD set) For solo viola. Classical and Play Along. Solo part and accompaniment CD. 20 pages. Published by Music Minus One

A beautiful and wide-ranging collection of music written or arranged for viola and piano. These sixteen concert pieces include every musical style from Baroque to Romantic, and include a number of beautiful instrumental arrangements of lieder and traditional songs.
Contents
Tema con variazioni (couplets des Folies d'Espagne) by Marais, Choral Prelude (O Mensch bewein Dein Sunde gross) by Bach, Johann Sebastian, Menuetto by Handel, Georg Friedrich, Allegretto Grazioso by Bach, Carl Philipp Emanuel, Tambourin by Hervelois, Louis de Caix, Violin-Viola Duo No. 2 (Andante) by Mozart, W.A., German Dance (Landler) by Dittersdorf, Karl Ditters von, Romance by Mehul, Etienne-Nicolas, Notturno, op. 42 (March) by Beethoven, Ludwig van, Arpeggione Sonata (Adagio) by Schubert, Franz, Von ewiger Liebe (Love Is Forever), op. 43, no. 1 by Brahms, Johannes, Verborgenheit (Renunciation) by Wolf, Hugo, I'm Just A-goin' over Jordan by Traditional (Spiritual), Were You There? by Traditional (Spiritual), Shenandoah by Traditional (American folk song), Boston Fancy (Hornpipe) by Traditional (American folk dance)
...more info

Three Sonatas for Viola da Gamba

By Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). For Cello/Viola da gamba, Piano. Play Along. Sheet music and accompaniment CD. Published by Music Partner CD (PE.Q09853)


BEETHOVEN String Quartet in A minor, op. 132 (2 CD Set) 

This beautiful and substantial string quartet is eternally popular amongst chamber music aficionados. Beautiful harmonies, and of course Beethoven's masterful ability to combine the four instruments make it a favorite. Includes a high-quality printed music score; informative liner notes; and 2 compact discs containing a complete performance with soloist; then a second version with the accompaniment, minus you, the soloist.

The Vieuxtemps String Quartet - Soloist: Linda Lawrence, viola; Ensemble: Masako Yanagita, violin; Marnie Hall, violin; Evalyn Steinbock, cello. Instrumental Solo Part for Viola and 2 CDs. Published by Music Minus One.

Johannes Brahms, Sonatas op.120. Edited by Bading / C. Herrmann. For Viola, Piano. Play Along. CD/DVD. Published by Edition Peters.
No. 1 in F minor; No. 2 in Eb.

Antonin Dvorak, String Trio 'Terzetto' in C major, op. 74, B148 (2 violins & viola) Sheet music and accompaniment CD for viola (part of string ensemble). Published by Music Minus One (MMO).

Play Puccini (Viola) 10 Arias Transcribed for Viola & Piano. By Giacomo Puccini. Play Along. Softcover with CD. 40 pages. Published by Ricordi.

Who needs a singer? Puccini sounds great on the viola, you can enjoy his luxurious Italian melody! These ten opera arias are among the composer's most famous ones, here transcribed for intermediate level solo and piano. The book includes a biography of Puccini, notes about the plot of each opera, and the dramatic context of the selected aria. Includes arias from: La Boheme, La Fanciulla Del West, Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, Manon Lescaut, Suor Angelica, Tosca and Turandot.
Contents
Nessun Dorma, In Quelle Trine Morbide, Vissi D'arte, Ch'ella mi creda, Senza mamma, E lucevan le stelle from Tosca, Recondita Armonia, O Mio Babbino Caro, Quando Men Vo (Mussetta's Waltz), Un Bel Dì Vedremo

SCHUBERT Piano Quintet in A major, op. 114, D667 'Forellen-Quintett' or 'Trout Quintet' (minus viola) By Franz Schubert. Ensemble: Harriet Wingreen, piano; The Classic String Quartet. For Viola. Instrumental Solo Part and CD. Published by Music Minus One.

Adagio and Allegro for Horn and Piano By Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Set of performance parts for horn (or violin, viola, cello) and piano. Op.70. 27 pages. Published by Edition Peters. Sheet Music & CD Play-along Pack available.


Viola concertos

Here are some viola concertos where the viola is missing in the recording (that's why they are also called music minus one) so with the play-along CD you, the soloist, will be able to practice with a real orchestra.

Johann Christian Bach, Viola Concerto in C minor
For Viola, Piano w/ CD. Play Along. CD/DVD. Published by Edition Peters.


Johann Christian Bach, Viola Concerto Edited by H. Casadesus. For Accompaniment CD for Viola (Violin / Cello). Play Along. CD/DVD. Published by Music Partner CD

HOFFMEISTER, Concerto for Viola and Orchestra in D major By Franz Anton Hoffmeister. Soloist: Elissaveta Staneva, viola; Ensemble: Plovdiv Youth Orchestra; Conductor: Nayden Todorov. Instrumental Solo Part and CD. Published by Music Minus One.

Franz Anton Hoffmeister, Viola Concerto in D. For viola, piano. Play Along. CD/DVD. Published by Edition Peters. (Q09857)
See more info...

MOZART: Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, KV364 (MINUS VIOLA) (Minus Viola version). By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791). For viola. Sheet music and 2 CD set. Published by Music Minus One ...more info


STAMITZ: Viola Concerto in D, Op. 1 By Carl Stamitz (1745-1801). For viola. Sheet music and CD. Published by Music Minus One ...more info

Telemann: Concerto for Viola, Strings and Basso Continuo TWV 51:G9 in G Major This edition: DOW14500. Dowani Book/CD. Play Along. 24 pages. Published by Dowani Editions.

Georg Philipp Telemann, Viola Concerto in G Major, TWV 51:G9 Classical Play-Along Volume 8. Classical Play-Along. Play Along. Softcover with CD. 9 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

More viola play-alongs


Give music!

Music is always the perfect gift, donate it to all your friends. You can use these works also as great gifts. You are spoilt for choice, here are some music gift ideas for a musician. A nice present would be a subscription to a downloadable sheet music website, or to a downloadable MP3 website, related to the viola and not only, also good for any other instrument, printed sheet music, or here you can find a list of music and viola books or find here many more music gift ideas for a musician and funny gadgets.

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