This is a curated list of accessible music by women composers for violin and viola from Tuning in Fifths. Most are very short concert pieces or collections of pieces for violin or viola and piano. Where both violin and viola editions are easily available, links to sheet music and recordings are provided for both.
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An evolving repertoire list for string players with links to sheet music and recordings.
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Violin and Viola Music by Women
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Browse by composer, piece, or instrument, and use the different sheet music and recording columns to compare what is available for violin and viola.
The full piano score, in most cases, is not linked in the table but most scores are easily available on IMSLP.
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As an enthusiastic amateur string player, I am always looking for new, exciting repertoire to play. I’ve written about how and where to source inspiring repertoire for violin and viola on Tuning in Fifths, with a particular focus on the work of women composers.
Grazyna Bacewicz - A 20th century polish composer and violinist who wrote many modern pieces for the violin, including sonatas, short show pieces, and chamber music. Several of her works are accessible to amateurs or adult learners. Learn more about her accessible repertoire in Discovering Grazyna Bacewicz.
Favorite Concert Pieces for Violin and Viola by Women Composers - The article that was inspired by the initial version of this database.
Lyrical Alternatives to Massenet’s Meditation by Women Composers - A selection of intermediate level pieces for violin and viola.
The process of researching repertoire is an exciting journey on its own that inspires musical listening and exploration, often leading to learning about composers, musical eras and schools of composition and more. If you are looking for repertoire that inspires you both as a listener and a player, read more here about finding inspiring repertoire to play as an amateur string player and about some inspiring anthologies for violin and viola players.
As a violinist who also plays viola, I have collected repertoire of particular interest to violinists first exploring the instrument and its repertoire here. Those interested in baroque music for viola can read more here.