Repertoire for Viola and Keyboard
(55 pieces by 41 composers as of November 13, 2023)
Compiled by Dr. Juliet White-Smith, Joshua Dieringer, and Dr. Megan E. Hill for the RBP Foundation.
These are pieces intended for solo violist and keyboardist. The vast majority are for only viola and piano, but some are for other keyboard instruments, or may also include electronics (non-standard instrumentation is noted when relevant).
Please let us know of any other works that should be added to this list, or if you know of any additional information or resources to complete this catalog!
And if you perform one of these pieces and have an audio or video recording that you would be willing to share, please let us know right away!
Email us at editor@musicbyblackcomposers.org.
H. Leslie Adams (b. 1932)
USA
L’Extase d’Amour (rev. 2010)
LENGTH: 7′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
T.J. Anderson (b. 1928)
USA
Variations on a Theme by Alban Berg (1977)
LENGTH: 10′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on Youtube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
“The Honourable” Elizabeth A. Baker
USA
Amorphous Commitments, Op. 47 (2016)
(for viola, toy piano, and electronics)
LENGTH: 8′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: on SoundCloud
Serotonin (2016)
(for viola, toy piano, and electronics)
LENGTH: 8′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: on SoundCloud
On the Other Side (2016)
(for viola, toy piano, and electronics)
LENGTH: 8′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on SoundCloud
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Che Buford
USA
A Day Passes (2020)
(for viola, piano, and pre-recorded electronics)
LENGTH: 30″
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Roque Cordero (1917–2008)
Panama, USA
Tres Mensajes Breves (1970)
LENGTH: 6′
MOVEMENTS: 1. Allegro Comodo, 2. Lento, 3. Molto Allegro
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on album Echoes (2012), by Laura Klugherz (viola) and Steven Heyman (piano)
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Kevin Day (b. 1996)
USA, Canada
Viola Sonata (2020)
LENGTH: 7′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on SoundCloud
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Kennedy Taylor Dixon (b. 1998)
USA
after dawn (2019)
(for viola and synthesizer)
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Akin Euba (1935–2020)
Nigeria, USA
Six Yoruba Folk Songs (1975)
(written for low voice and piano, recorded by viola and piano)
ENGRAVING: research in progress
SHEET MUSIC: available from libraries
RECORDING: on album Echoes (2012), by Laura Klugherz (viola) and Steven Heyman (piano)
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Melika M. Fitzhugh (b. 1972)
USA
Violaceous (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Anthony Green (b. 1984)
USA
On Top of a Frosted Hill (2011, 2016)
(adapted from original for cello and piano)
LENGTH: 13′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Brittany J. Green (b. 1991)
USA
Connected (2020)
(for viola, piano, and fixed media)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941)
USA
Variations on a Guyanese Folksong (1987)
(originally for violin and piano, adapted for viola by the composer)
LENGTH: 5’30”
ENGRAVING: research in progress
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Sanctum (1995)
LENGTH: 13′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on Spotify, from album As Falling Leaves (2004), Beverly Baker (viola), Charles Woodward (piano)
Two Romances (1997)
LENGTH: 14′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Fantasy Piece (2002)
LENGTH: 13′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Three Meditations (2015)
(for viola and organ)
LENGTH: 14′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube: movement 1 (Christmas), movement 2 (Lent), movement 3 (Easter)
Fantasy, Elegy, Caprice (1980, 2016)
LENGTH: 14′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Vi-Pi Special (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Jonathan Bailey Holland (b. 1974)
USA
Blurred Glance (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Joseph Jones
USA
Viola Sonata, Op. 33
LENGTH: 22′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Ulysses Kay (1917–1995)
USA
Sonatine (1939)
LENGTH: 4′
MOVEMENTS: 1. Largo, 2. Allegro, 3. Adagio, 4. Allegretto
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Sonata (1942)
LENGTH: 12′
MOVEMENTS: 1. Largo, 2. Allegro, 3. Adagio, 4. Allegretto
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube: movement 1, movement 2, movement 3, movement 4
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Mokale Koapeng (b. 1963)
South Africa
Pholoso Salvation (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Robert Kya-Hill (b. 1930)
USA
A Good Time Rag (2007)
LENGTH: 2′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Habanera #5
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Song Without Words (Cycle 2, #46)
LENGTH: 3′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s bio.
James Lee, III (b. 1975)
USA
Sonata for Viola and Piano (2011)
LENGTH: 17′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Penman Lovinggood (1895–1993)
USA
Chaccone
ENGRAVING: manuscript
SHEET MUSIC: available from libraries
RECORDING: research in progress
Bio for this composer has not yet been found. Click here to read his father’s bio.
Monthati Masebe
South Africa, USA
Re/Cline (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Charles Murrell, III
USA
Fanfare (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Andre Myers (b. 1973)
USA
Cadenza & Aria (2011)
LENGTH: 10′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Brian Raphael Nabors (b. 1991)
USA
Hoedown for Isolation (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Gary Powell Nash (b. 1964)
USA
Positive Negativity (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Marcus Norris (b. 1991)
USA
Outchea (2013)
LENGTH: 4′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Juwon Ogungbe (b. 1961)
England, Nigeria
The Fattening Room (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1932–2004)
USA
Lament for viola and piano (ca. 1950)
LENGTH: 4′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Florence Price (1887–1953)
USA
Night (1946)
LENGTH: 2′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Adoration (1951)
Originally for organ
Arranged for viola and piano by Elaine Fine
LENGTH: 4′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available on IMSLP
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Kyle Rivera (b. 1996)
USA
Aborcordina (2016)
LENGTH: 4′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Oswald Russell (1933–2012)
Jamaica, Switzerland
Rhapsody for Viola and Organ (1988)
LENGTH: research in progress
ENGRAVING: research in progress
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Howard Savage (b. 1949)
USA
Moonlit, Op. 61A
DEDICATEE: Shelley Weiss
LENGTH: research in progress
ENGRAVING: manuscript, legible, score only
SHEET MUSIC: held by MBC
RECORDING: research in progress
Stefan Smith (b. 1985)
USA
Ruins of Rome: Opening Sequence
from the short film Ruins
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: research in progress
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
William Grant Still (1895–1978)
USA
Carmela (1949)
Originally for violin and piano, arranged by Dr. Marshall Fine
LENGTH: 2′
ENGRAVING: printed, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Here’s One
Originally arranged for solo voice, and later for SATB chorus in 1941
LENGTH: 3′
ENGRAVING: printed, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Emerson Sudbury
USA
Sans Titre (2020)
LENGTH: 1′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s online profile.
Darian Donovan Thomas (b. 1993)
USA
Sonata for Chris (2015)
LENGTH: 16′ 14″
MOVEMENTS: 1. I like things that sound dark, 2. To this day, people like my tonal works best, 3. Memories and Meanings: Scherzo
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: on Soundcloud
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Frederick Tillis (1930–2020)
USA
Capriccio for Viola and Piano (1960)
LENGTH: 4′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Phantasy for Viola and Piano (1962)
LENGTH: 11′
ENGRAVING: printed manuscript
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Sakari Dixon Vanderveer
USA
The Path Laid Before Me (2018)
LENGTH: 11′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
George Walker (1922–2018)
USA
Viola Sonata (1989)
LENGTH: 15′
MOVEMENTS: 1. eighth note = 63, 2. quarter note = 66
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: on YouTube: movement 1, movement 2
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Errollyn Wallen (b. 1958)
Belize, England
Rapture (1998)
LENGTH: 12′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Evan Williams (b. 1988)
USA
The Devil in the Belfry (2018)
LENGTH: 9′
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for the composer’s website in bio.
Kerwin Young (b. 1970)
USA
Music for Steven Spielberg’s Next Film (2014)
(alternate versions for alto saxophone and piano, English horn and piano, clarinet and piano, or flute and piano)
LENGTH: 6’20”
ENGRAVING: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: contact composer
RECORDING: alto saxophone and piano version on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
