: The concerto was composed in 1950 and published shortly after by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB). What You Will Find on IMSLP
The score is published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB) .
The second movement is a lyrical and tender Adagio . It is structured in three sections (ternary form - ABA). The central melody is a long, flowing, cantabile line, which is then freely decorated by the solo viola with delicate ornamentation. Despite the embellishment, the pure, song-like quality of the main theme always remains clearly audible. This movement demonstrates Dávid's gift for writing beautiful, expressive melodies for the viola, an instrument capable of a rich, vocal tone. Gyula David Viola Concerto Imslp
Dávid was a student of and was a professional violist himself, which contributes to the work's idiomatic writing for the instrument.
This movement is widely recognized as the emotional heart of the concerto. It showcases a quiet, contemplative atmosphere, highlighting the instrument's lyrical capabilities. It is a slow, expressive movement that requires profound musicality from the soloist to sustain its long, singing lines. III. Vivace : The concerto was composed in 1950 and
Originally for viola and orchestra, though it is commonly performed and studied via a piano reduction .
Gyula Dávid’s Viola Concerto stands as a significant and rewarding contribution to the 20th-century viola repertoire. It is a work that brilliantly synthesizes Hungarian folk spirit, Classical concerto form, and a deep understanding of the viola’s unique voice. Although the score is not freely downloadable on IMSLP due to copyright, acquiring the legitimate edition from Editio Musica Budapest is a straightforward process. With a definitive recording by the dedicatee, Pál Lukács, and growing scholarly attention, the concerto remains a vibrant and important part of a violist’s study and performance journey. It is a hidden gem of the modern concerto literature, waiting for more musicians and audiences to discover its rhythmic vitality and expressive heart. It is structured in three sections (ternary form - ABA)
: Under the standard EU and international rule of Life + 70 years , Dávid's complete catalog remains fully under copyright protection until January 1, 2048 .
However, the availability of the score on IMSLP changes the equation. It empowers students, professionals, and conservatories to take the initiative. It allows a student in Ohio or a professional in Berlin to download the part, walk into their teacher's studio, and say, "Have you heard this?"
The concerto is cast in the traditional (Fast-Slow-Fast), lasting approximately 20 minutes. It is a work of moderate technical difficulty—demanding for the amateur but accessible to a professional orchestral violist.