Ernest Bloch - Suite for Viola and Piano (1919)
Live Recording

I. Lento-Allegro-Moderato
II. Allegro ironico (Scherzo)
III. Lento
IV. Molto vivo

Bloch - Suite For Viola And Piano (1919) - IV. Molto vivo

Bloch - Suite For Viola And Piano (1919) - III. Lento

Bloch - Suite For Viola And Piano (1919) - II. Allegro ironico (Scherzo)

Bloch - Suite For Viola And Piano (1919) - I. Lento - Allegro - Moderato

Composer:  György Ligeti 

Sonata for Viola Solo
2nd Movement: Loop 

"The title refers to the form; the same melodic figures are repeated, continually varied rhythmically and played progressively faster in tempo.  Double-stoppings are played throughout with one of the notes always being an open string.  The performer is therefore compelled to carry out daring position changes which in the fast section of the movement creates a 'dangerous virtuosity'.  In addition, this movement must also be played in the spirit of jazz: elegant and 'relaxed'. " -  György Ligeti

Ligeti - Sonata for Viola Solo - Loop (1991)

Live recording

The Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147 is the last composition by Dmitri Shostakovich. Completed in July 1975, just weeks before his death, it is dedicated to Fyodor Druzhinin, violist in the Beethoven Quartet. 

Shostakovich - Viola Sonata Op 147 - I. Moderato

Shostakovich - Viola Sonata Op 147 - II. Allegretto

Live recording

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (piano version) (1985)
        I. Largo - Allegro molto
        II. Allegro molto
        III. Largo


Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Viola (1985) - II. Allegro molto

Live recording.

The Sonata for Viola and Piano, Op. 147 is the last composition by Dmitri Shostakovich.  It was completed in July 1975, just weeks before his death.  It is dedicated to Fyodor Druzhinin, violist in the Beethoven Quartet. This is a haunting example of the mortality-obsessed late style composition of Shostakovich.

Shostakovich - Viola Sonata Op 147 - III. Adagio

Live recording

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (piano version) (1985)
I. Largo - Allegro molto
II. Allegro molto
III. Largo

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Viola (1985) - I. Largo - Allegro molto

Alfred Schnittke - Concerto for Viola (1985) - III. Largo

Live recording

Romance oubliée is the only Liszt work for viola and piano, apart from the Berlioz Harold en Italie transcription.   This lovely little piece was written for the viola virtuoso Hermann Ritter.

Liszt - Romance oubliée, S132 (1880) for viola and piano

Live recording

I. Allegro non troppo

transcribed for viola and piano

Brahms -  Cello Sonata in e minor Op.38  trans. for viola and piano

American viola and viola d’amore player Clifton Harrison has performed as a chamber musician, recitalist, and in orchestras throughout Europe, the United States, Central America, and Asia. He is the viola player in the acclaimed Kreutzer Quartet with whom he has recorded extensively. As a member of the quartet Clifton has been artist-in-residence at Goldsmiths, Southampton, and Bath Spa University with close ties to the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Oxford.

Parallel to his quartet duties, Clifton regularly gives masterclasses, workshops, and lectures worldwide.  An avid freelance viola player, Clifton has worked with many UK ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, London Contemporary Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, Chineke! Orchestra, London Chamber Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rambert Orchestra, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, and most of London’s period performance ensembles. Clifton also records regularly for film and television. He has toured worldwide with countless classical ensembles as well as performed with popular artists as wide ranging as Björk, Jeff Lynne’s ELO, David Rodigan & the Outlook Orchestra, and Mumford & Sons.  Clifton has been heard in festivals throughout the world, from the muddy fields of Glastonbury to the EFG London Jazz Festival, Ghent Festival, Lincoln Center Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, and London’s BBC Proms.

As a researcher, Clifton focuses on two distinct areas:  Seventeenth and eighteenth century viola d’amore music from the Germanic region, and Black and Minority Ethnic classical and contemporary composers/sound artists.

Clifton is a graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy, America'‘s top boarding school for the arts. This was followed by studies at the Juilliard School with Dorothy Delay (violin) and Karen Tuttle (viola) and at the Royal Academy of Music with Yuko Inoue (modern viola) and Jane Rogers (baroque viola).

Recent releases are on the Hyperion, Universal Music, Sony, NAXOS, Warner Music, Navona Records, NMC Records, Métier, and Signum Classics labels. 

(Kindly use the form on the contact page at www.cliftonharrison.co to request an updated biography for concerts and promotions.)

Clifton Harrison

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