York Bowen Viola concerto

His music and the viola

York Bowen was an English pianist, composer, organist, horn and viola player.

Born in 1884, he was friend with the viola soloist pioneer Lionel Tertis and played at the piano with him.

With his works, Bowen helped Tertis in his efforts to make the viola become more popular.

In his lifetime he was quite successful as a pianist and composer, most of his works were instrumental and were premiéred by famous performers of the time. He performed his own four piano concertos and other piano works.

---

---

---

Works for viola

Bowen composed a number of works for viola, including one concerto, 2 sonatas and a quartet for 4 violas.

Bowen's Viola concerto was one of the first compositions written for viola by English composers for Lionel Tertis, who would chase all his contemporary composers asking them to compose viola music.

• 3 Duos for Violin and Viola
• Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
• Romance in D♭ major for viola (or violin) and piano
  
• Fantasia in F major for viola and organ
  
• "Fantasie Quartet" for 4 violas
• 2 Sonatas for viola and piano
• Allegro de Concert in D minor for viola and piano
• Phantasie Trio for violin, cello (or viola) and piano, Op. 24
• Poem in G♭ major for viola, harp and organ, Op. 27 (1912)
• Rhapsody in G minor for viola and piano, Op. 149
  

---

York Bowen Viola concerto

Bowen's viola concerto was composed when he was 22 and Lionel Tertis performed it for first time in 1908, when hearing a viola soloist was "the rarest thing".

Bowen's style is melodic, tonal, quite romantic and became a bit old-fashined during the 20th century.

His viola concerto was one of the first compositions written for viola by English composers for Lionel Tertis, who would chase all his contemporary composers asking them to compose viola music.

It is another addition to contemporary viola repertoire.

Somebody keeps saying that there is no solo viola music! Bowen is another source of more music.

---

Buy York Bowen sheet music and CDs

If you want to enjoy your favourite music here below you find a few recordings you can buy.

Buy York Bowen sheet music

If you wish to play some music by York Bowen, there are editions of sheet music for several of his works.

They are suitable for players of different levels, from intermediate level players for the viola sonatas to the demanding viola concerto for more advanced viola players.

Click on the pictures, you'll go to a page where you'll be able to listen to samples.

More sheet music by York Bowen

---

Custom Search

---

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Share this page: What’s this?

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

1. Click on the HTML link code below.
2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Tweets by @MonicaCuneViola

---