Repertoire for Unaccompanied Solo Violin
(56 pieces by 36 composers as of February 15, 2023)
Compiled by Rachel Barton Pine and Dr. Megan E. Hill for the RBP Foundation
These are pieces intended for solo performer. The vast majority are unaccompanied, but may include electronics, narration, or other auxiliary actions performed by the soloist (auxiliary actions are 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.
Immanuel T. Abraham (b. 1990)
USA
24 Caprices for Solo Violin (2010–2020)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from Southwest Strings and Sheet Music Plus
RECORDING: YouTube videos available on the composer’s website
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Ahmed Alabaca (b. 1984)
USA
Upon Meeting Errollyn Wallen (2020)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: Live performance on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Lettie Beckon Alston (1953–2014)
USA
Pulsations (1974/1993)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Gracefully, 2. Fast and Rhythmical, 3. Slow with much expression
ENGRAVING STYLE: manuscript, legible
SHEET MUSIC: available through libraries
RECORDING: from Kaleidoscope (Gregory Walker) available from Amazon
Click here for composer’s bio.
Thomas Jefferson “TJ” Anderson (b. 1928)
USA
Aurelia, In Memoriam (1999)
DEDICATEE: Aurelia Whittington Franklin
ENGRAVING STYLE: manuscript, legible
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress
RECORDING: live concert recording on composer’s website
In Memoriam: Lerone Bennett, Jr. (2018)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: download available from Sheet Music Plus
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
David Baker (1931–2016)
USA
Suite (1975)
DEDICATEE: Ruggiero Ricci
MOVEMENTS: 1. Fast, 2. Sempre lyrical, 3. Fugue, 4. Theme and Variations, 5. Fast
ENGRAVING STYLE: copyist’s hand
SHEET MUSIC: Published by Lauren Keiser – available from Performers Music
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Ed Bland (1926–2013)
USA
For Violin (1980)
DEDICATEE: Janos Negyesy
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, old
SHEET MUSIC: available from Theodore Front Musical Literature Inc.
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Billy Childs (b. 1957)
USA
Four Portraits for Violin (2016)
DEDICATEE: Rachel Barton Pine
MOVEMENTS: 1. Prelude and Allegro, 2. Adagio Lirico, 3. Pavane, 4. Gigue
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from the composer via the contact form on his website
RECORDING: performances by Rachel Barton Pine on YouTube – movement 1, movement 2, movement 3, movement 4
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Roque Cordero (1917–2008)
USA
Rapsodia Panameña (1988)
DEDICATEE: Bernard Eichen
ENGRAVING STYLE: copyists hand
SHEET MUSIC: available from Peermusic Classical
RECORDING: from Capricho Latino (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube
Click here for composer’s bio.
Noel Da Costa (1929–2002)
Africa, Caribbean, USA
A Set of Dance Tunes Based on American Fiddle Tunes (1978)
DEDICATEE: Max Pollikoff
MOVEMENTS: 1. Walk Around “Brudder Bones,” 2. Neumedia, 3. Little Diamond / Bird on the Wing Jigs, 4. New Orleans Clog, 5. “New Orleans” Clog Blues
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress (a research copy is held by the RBP Foundation; this piece is copyright protected and sheet music is currently not available for sale through commercial outlets; we are continuing to research this issue)
RECORDING: from Blues Dialogues (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube – movement 1, movement 2, movement 3, movement 4, movement 5
Jes’ Grew (1973)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Chant Variations, 2. I Thought I Heard Buddy Bolden Say, 3. With Nostalgia, 4. In Two/Six over Eight
ENGRAVING STYLE: manuscript, difficult to read
SHEET MUSIC: available through libraries
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Dont’e Davis (b. 1987)
USA
Partita in G Minor, Op. 59a (2019)
DEDICATEE: Constance Mele
MOVEMENTS: 1. Introduzione, 2. Double, 3. Sarabande, 4. Double, 5. Courante, 6. Double: Gigue, 7. Chaconne
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress (a research copy is held by the RBP Foundation; this piece is copyright protected and sheet music is currently not available for sale through commercial outlets; we are continuing to research this issue)
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s Facebook page.
Adrian Gordon (b. 1983)
USA
A Pizzicato Lullaby (2017)
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: available from Leap Year Music
RECORDING: on YouTube
Farewell to the Violin
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: available from Leap Year Music
RECORDING: on YouTube
Pizzacato Paradise (2021)
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: available from Leap Year Music
RECORDING: on YouTube
With The Rising Sun (2022)
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: available from Leap Year Music
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s bio.
Adolphus Hailstork (b. 1941)
USA
Suite for Solo Violin (2018)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Prelude, 2. March, 3. Melody, 4. Finale
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Theodore Presser Company – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: none
The Surprising Thing Is (Caprice) (2013)
DEDICATEE: Paul Kim
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Theodore Presser Company – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Click here for composer’s website.
Edward W. Hardy
USA
The Lovers Dance (2016)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Ship at Sea (2016)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Making the Perfect Dress (2017)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Odette and Siegfried’s First Dance (2017)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Swans at the Shore (2017)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Nevermore (2018)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Evolution (2019)
ENGRAVING STYLE: Computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available from the composer’s website
Click here for composer’s bio.
Michael J. Henderson (b. 1957)
USA
Emerald Run (1990)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: available soon
Composer’s website available soon
Jeraldine Saunders Herbison (b. 1941)
USA
Five Sketches (1980/1995)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Of Two Voices, 2. Of the Various Light in Silver Wings, 3. Of Elves by Moonlight Shadows Seen, 4. Of This Lovely Green, 5. Of Sylphs in Fields of Air
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress (a research copy is held by the RBP Foundation; this piece is copyright protected and sheet music is currently not available for sale through commercial outlets; we are continuing to research this issue)
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Jonathan Bailey Holland (b. 1974)
USA
Journal Entry (2020)
DEDICATEE: Jannina Norpoth
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: none
Opus One (1990)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Yvette Janine Jackson (b. 1973)
USA
Remembering 1619 (2019)
for violin and tape
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: score rentals and tape cues can be acquired through hwww.yvettejackson.com/contact
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Nathalie Joachim
USA, Caribbean
Watch Over Us (2019)
for violin and electronics
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available on the composer’s website
RECORDING: live performance by Yvonne Lam on YouTube
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Joseph Jones (b. 1984)
USA
Partita No. 1, J.C. (juvenilia catalog) Op. 17 (2002)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: none
Partita for Solo Violin, Op. 24 (2020)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Prelude, 2. Gigue, 3. Sarabande, 4. Fantasia
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: download available from SheetMusicPlus
RECORDING: none
Partita No. 2 for Solo Violin, Op. 59 (2021)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Prelude, 2. Allegretto, 3. Aria, 4. Dance
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
George E. Lewis (b. 1952)
USA
Un petit brouillard cérébral (2020)
COMMISSIONER: Jennifer Koh
SHEET MUSIC: to be published by Edition Peters
RECORDING: on YouTube
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Wynton Marsalis (b. 1961)
USA
Come Long Fiddler (1995)
(Movement 1 from At the Octoroon Balls, String Quartet No. 1)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: from At the Octoroon Balls (Orion String Quartet) on Spotify
Fiddle Dance Suite for Solo Violin (2018)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Sidestep Reel, 2. As the Wind Goes By, 3. Jones’ Jig, 4. Nicola’s Strathspey, 5. Bye-Bye Breakdown
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: from Marsalis: Violin Concerto|Fiddle Dance Suite (Nicola Bendetti) on Spotify – movement 1, movement 2, movement 3, movement 4, movement 5
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Jessie Montgomery (b. 1981)
USA
Rhapsody no. 1 (2015)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: from Strum: Music for Strings (Jessie Montgomery) on Spotify
Rhapsody no. 2 (2020)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: available on the composer’s website
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Jeffrey Mumford (b. 1955)
USA
an expanding distance of multiple voices (2005)
DEDICATEE: Lina Bahn
MOVEMENTS: 1. Estatico e molto appassionato, 2. Sparso ed espansivo, 3. Molto delicatissimo ed etereo possibile, 4. Molto appassionato, 5. Maestoso
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: live concert recording on DropBox
Linear Cycles VII (1979/1993)
DEDICATEE: William Fitzpatrick
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, old
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: live concert recording on DropBox
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Andre Myers (b. 1973)
USA
Partita (2011)
DEDICATEE: Vijay Gupta (also 3. Bonnie, 6. Rachel Barton Pine)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Adagio, 2. Passepied, 3. Courante, 4. Sarabande, 5.Bourrée, 6. Gigue
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: live concert recordings on composer’s website (movements 3 and 4)
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
James W. Newton (b. 1953)
USA
Gihon (1995, rev. in 1999 & 2021)
DEDICATEE: Roy Malan
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: download available from the composer’s website
RECORDING: streaming available on the composer’s website
Click here for the composer’s website and bio.
Marcus Norris (b. 1991)
USA
Good to You (2020)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available from South Side Symphony
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson (1932–2004)
USA
Blue/s Forms (1972)
DEDICATEE: Sanford Allen
MOVEMENTS: 1. Plain Blue/s, 2. Just Blue/s, 3. Jettin’ Blue/s
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Lauren Keiser – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: from Blues Dialogues (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube – movement 1, movement 2, movement 3
Louisiana Blues Strut (A Cakewalk) (2001)
DEDICATEE: Sanford Allen
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Lauren Keiser – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: from Blues Dialogues (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube
Click here for composer’s bio.
Patrick Prejean
USA
Suite for Solo Violin (2022)
DEDICATEE: Abigail McLaughlin
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: research in progress
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Daniel Bernard Roumain (b. 1970)
USA
Filter (1992/2018)
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Subito Music Corporation – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: from Blues Dialogues (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube
Hip-Hop Dances and Prayers (2017)
DEDICATEE: Rachel Barton Pine
MOVEMENTS: 1. Dance I, 2. Prayer I, 3. Dance II, 4. Prayer II, 5 Dance III, 6. Prayer III
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase
RECORDING: live performance of Dance I on YouTube
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Carlos Simon (b. 1986)
USA
Between Worlds (2019)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: download available from Bill Holab Music
RECORDING: live performance on YouTube
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Charles Joseph Smith (b. 1970)
USA
Little Elegy in D minor for Solo Violin (date currently unknown)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: none
Study in A minor for Unaccompanied Violin (date currently unknown)
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: request from composer
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Fred Tillis (1930–2020)
USA
Three Showpieces (1966)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Dialogue, 2. Soliloquy, 3. Fancy
ENGRAVING STYLE: copyist’s hand
SHEET MUSIC: research in progress (a research copy is held by the RBP Foundation; this piece is copyright protected and sheet music is currently not available for sale through commercial outlets; we are continuing to research this issue)
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
Andre Vindu Bangambula (b. 1953)
Africa, Asia
Variations on an African Melody (1987)
ENGRAVING STYLE: manuscript, difficult to read
SHEET MUSIC: available soon
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s bio.
George Walker (b. 1922–2018)
USA
Bleu (2011)
DEDICATEE: Grayson
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: published by Subito Music Corporation – contact Performers Music to order
RECORDING: from George Walker: Great American Concert Music (Gregory Walker) on YouTube
Click here for composer’s bio.
Dolores White (b. 1932)
USA
Blues Dialogues (1988/2016)
MOVEMENTS: 1. Blues feeling, 2. Expressive, 3. Fast and funky, 4. Moderately fast
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, modern
SHEET MUSIC: available for purchase as a PDF; contact Dianna White-Gould (diannagould@yahoo.com)
RECORDING: from Blues Dialogues (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube – movement 1, movement 2, movement 3, movement 4
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
José White (1836–1918)
Caribbean, Europe
6 Etudes, Op. 13 (1868)
DEDICATEE: 1. Jean-Delphin Alard, 2. Ernesto Camillo Sivori, 3. Henri Vieuxtemps, 4. Henryk Wieniawski, 5. Hubert Leonard, 6. Segundino Abango
MOVEMENTS: 1. Allegro moderato, 2. Allegro, 3. Moderato, 4. (untitled), 5. Allegro ma non troppo, 6. Comodo
ENGRAVING STYLE: printed
SHEET MUSIC: available on IMSLP
RECORDING: No. 6 from Capricho Latino (Rachel Barton Pine) on YouTube
Click here for composer’s bio.
Kimo Williams (b. 1950)
USA
Quiet Shadows (2004)
COMPOSER’S NOTE: Quiet Shadows is my musical portrayal of a soldier on guard duty in Vietnam.
ENGRAVING STYLE: computer, old
SHEET MUSIC: available from Little Beck LLC
RECORDING: none
Click here for composer’s website and bio.
Check out our Directory of Repertoire for Unaccompanied Solo Viola »
