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> Beautiful unaccompanied violin pieces to play in church, Any suggestions?
Organistin
post Aug 5 2011, 08:36 PM
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I am looking for some new pieces which I can play in church at various points during the services. I don't have an accompanist and I accidentally played the violin unaccompanied in church a while back. Since then I have been asked a couple of times for family events. Now a rumour has got around about my playing and suddenly I am in increasing demand. However, the problem is that I have no accompanist and am not likely to get one anytime soon and I need some ideas.
So far I have played various parts of Bach partitas, Corelli sonatas, Handel sonatas and Vivaldi concertos without the accompaniments. When chosen carefully some of these pieces sound as lovely unaccompanied as accompanied. (Obviously the Bach partitas don't have an accompaniment anyway)

I am looking for some quiet reflective pieces as well as joyful pieces (to send people home happy) and something stately and "imposing" for the entrance procession.
They can be either composed for unaccompanied violin or composed for violin and piano but sound good without the piano.
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jojo
post Aug 5 2011, 08:45 PM
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Passacaglia of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLjqm5t69qw...Qg&index=16

(have sent you an email (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif))
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Flossie
post Aug 5 2011, 09:00 PM
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Take a song or hymn and improvise around it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Edit: It might be worth also asking for suggestions in Viva Organ. Most of them have a lot of experience of music in churches... (even if it isn't organ).
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Organistin
post Aug 5 2011, 09:31 PM
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QUOTE(jojo @ Aug 5 2011, 08:45 PM) *

Passacaglia of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLjqm5t69qw...Qg&index=16

(have sent you an email (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif))


That is gorgeous, thanks and thanks for email.

QUOTE(Flossie @ Aug 5 2011, 09:00 PM) *

Take a song or hymn and improvise around it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Edit: It might be worth also asking for suggestions in Viva Organ. Most of them have a lot of experience of music in churches... (even if it isn't organ).


The improvisation is a good idea - my improvisation is terrible, but I could practise at home and develop my skills. I have a couple of hymns in mind that I could have a go at! Thanks for the suggestion

I didn't think of asking in Viva Organ - maybe some of them will see this thread in the new posts section and pop in. I'm a bit wary about starting another thread there in case people think I am cross-posting and I get a warning!
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Flossie
post Aug 5 2011, 09:39 PM
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QUOTE(Organistin @ Aug 5 2011, 10:31 PM) *

The improvisation is a good idea - my improvisation is terrible, but I could practise at home and develop my skills. I have a couple of hymns in mind that I could have a go at! Thanks for the suggestion

You could always think of it as a prepared theme and variations and remove the psychology of the 'improvisation' label. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

QUOTE(Organistin @ Aug 5 2011, 10:31 PM) *

I didn't think of asking in Viva Organ - maybe some of them will see this thread in the new posts section and pop in. I'm a bit wary about starting another thread there in case people think I am cross-posting and I get a warning!

I think you'd be fine to post there as well. There are quite a few people in the Viva Organ section who don't stray into other areas of the forum and are therefore unlikely to see this thread.

There is a difference between following a suggestion to ask a question elsewhere (which is what you'd be doing) and spamming the forum with lots of identical threads. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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violincjj
post Aug 5 2011, 09:58 PM
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Ashokan Farewell is lovely!
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muzikalbadger
post Aug 5 2011, 10:02 PM
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QUOTE(violincjj @ Aug 5 2011, 10:58 PM) *

Ashokan Farewell is lovely!


I was going to suggest that and some Scottish/Irish slow airs or waltzes... Some are really beautiful and great unaccompanied - Scott Skinner and Neil Gow wrote some stunning pieces...
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Flossie
post Aug 5 2011, 10:16 PM
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Don't forget all the celtic stuff as well - the Iona type thing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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Violin Hero
post Aug 5 2011, 10:46 PM
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For the church/recital type situation when I don't have a pianist I tend to play either Adagio by Kodaly or of I need something shorter then Song by Andre Previn. Both are on TG grade 8.
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viola-mad
post Aug 5 2011, 11:04 PM
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How about the Telemann Fantasias? There are 12 of them, and each has between 3 and 5 movements. I have to confess to not knowing them all, but there's probably something that fits all your categories in there somewhere!

PS I love the way you 'accidentally' played unaccompanied.... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
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lottie
post Aug 6 2011, 06:16 AM
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The Handel sonatas are lovely without accompaniment - especially the slow movements (the only bits I can play (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) )
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miffy
post Aug 6 2011, 07:09 AM
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Come into this thread a bit late, ditto all the above! Following on from the hymns, have a look at some madrigal themes and choir anthems. The folk songs can sound beautiful in a church, especially played slowly. I have a couple of books of Manx songs and they are beautiful.
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Tassimo
post Aug 6 2011, 08:00 AM
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QUOTE(Organistin @ Aug 5 2011, 09:36 PM) *
I accidentally played the violin unaccompanied in church a while back.


I have been trying to visualize the 'accidentally played' and can't imagine how the violin slipped out of your pocket into you hands (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
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Organistin
post Aug 6 2011, 08:28 AM
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I go away from the forum for a few hours (well to sleep actually) and come back to find loads of brilliant suggestions. You are amazing!
I have Ashokan Farewell at home and several Scott Skinner books but hadn#t thought of play them in church - however, now you come to mention it there would be a lot that is suitable - so I will be having some fun later looking for pieces to add to the list. Telemann Fantasias downloaded from Petrucci...
I don't know Kodaly Adagio or Previn Song - but will have a look on youtube.

Miffy said:
QUOTE
The folk songs can sound beautiful in a church, especially played slowly.

Mmm... I will have to learn to play SLOWLY. I am not very good at it.

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agricola
post Aug 6 2011, 01:39 PM
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Some songs can be adapted for solo violin, eg, Apres un reve, Sapphic ode, Spring ( Grieg), None but the lonely heart, Litany for All souls ( Schubert), Linden Lea. Also simpler English folk songs, eg Bushes and Briars, Tom Bowlin, the Crystal Spring, Scarborough Fair, O Waly waly. Stephen Foster songs, Beautiful Dreamer, I dream of Jeanie etc etc.
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