The first half of the last century saw a remarkable flowering of new music for viola, inspired in part by the influence of the great violist Lionel Tertis, in part by composer-performers such as Cecil Forsyth and Paul Hindemith. The Passacaglia from the latter’s expressionist Sonata for solo viola Op. 11 No. 5 provides a powerful contrast to the gentle lyricism and sparky energy of York Bowen’s two Duos and radiant beauty of his Romance in A. Timothy Ridout includes the rhapsodic eloquence of Forsyth’s Chanson Celtique and the Lament that Frank Bridge first performed at Wigmore Hall with Tertis in 1912.

EPSG:4326

Timothy Ridout viola; Hélène Clément viola; Ting-Ru Lai viola; Matthew Lipman viola; Georgy Kovalev viola; James Baillieu piano

Wigmore Hall

Clarence Town Park

This recital features student musicians from the studios of Amy Greenhalgh, Ken Kulosa, Jane Price, Chris Sasse, Megan Stout, and Manuela Topalbegovic.

String Division Recital

560 Music Center

Shostakovich wrote his brazen and bold Fifth Symphony in 1938 in a desperate attempt to secure some sense of safety in an unsafe world. A composer who was held hostage both artistically and literally, he created music that would fulfill the Soviet regime’s populist and “heroic” requirements and provide his political salvation. North State Symphony Principal Violist Leah Carl is featured in Forsyth’s hidden gem of a viola concerto with powerful soaring melodies that display the enormous versatility of the instrument.

Shostakovich Fifth

California State University, Chico

Cascade Theatre

Pre-College Division Recital

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

At the end of the 19th century, Great Britain was considered a pioneering nation in practically all areas, but it lagged behind in music. Men like Cecil Forsyth did real pioneering work: the violist from London not only wrote important musicological texts, but also gave the country the first solo concert for his instrument. First performed in 1903, it showcases the lyrical abilities of the viola wonderfully. And it inspired successors: colleagues such as Vaughan Williams, Walton, Bax and Bridge also wrote solo works for viola.

5th Symphony Concert

Theater Nordhausen

From the passionate nationalism of Finlandia to the radiant serenity of Lux Aeterna, this program journeys from dramatic Nordic landscapes to luminous choral transcendence. Along the way, Forsyth’s Viola Concerto and Grieg’s beloved piano concerto add Romantic fire and virtuosity.

Cecil Forsyth

Events

Upcoming events

6 - 7 Mar, 2027

Cycle Four: From Nordic Fire to Eternal Light · Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra

Past events

Nov 14, 2026

Timothy Ridout viola; Hélène Clément viola; Ting-Ru Lai viola; Matthew Lipman viola; Georgy Kovalev viola; James Baillieu piano · Wigmore Hall

Jul 22, 2026

Clarence Town Park · Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

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