A detailed Level VI analysis (7 pages) by Ross Hamilton is available for purchase at MusicAnalysis.com.au .
: If your local library does not own the score, they can typically request it from another institution worldwide.
Written during Dávid’s "first period," this concerto is heavily influenced by Hungarian folk song and the traditions of his mentors. Unlike his later works, which ventured into atonal and 12-tone territory, the Viola Concerto remains accessible and rooted in the "Hungarian musical tradition". List of works by Gyula Major - IMSLP
But if you type "viola concerto" into the search bar of the Internet Music Score Library Project (IMSLP), looking for something that bridges the gap between the lush romanticism of the 19th century and the jagged modernism of the 20th, you will find a hidden gem sitting patiently in the digital stacks: the Viola Concerto by Gyula Dávid. Gyula David Viola Concerto Imslp
The sheet music can be purchased from numerous online retailers and music shops worldwide. Here are some direct sources:
Would I perform it? Yes, especially the slow movement. Would I program it beside Walton or Bartók? Cautiously yes—it’s distinct enough not to pale by comparison. Just budget extra rehearsal time for the piano reduction’s quirks.
While not always directly quoting folk tunes, his melodies often evoke the modal, rhythmic, and melancholic character of Hungarian music. A detailed Level VI analysis (7 pages) by
The International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP), also known as the Petrucci Music Library, is the premier digital repository for public domain sheet music. When searching for , public accessibility depends strictly on international copyright laws. Copyright Status Composer's Lifespan : Gyula Dávid passed away in 1977.
The work has been recorded by prominent Hungarian violists and is often paired with the Bartók Viola Concerto in collections. If you are looking to perform this piece, Go to product viewer dialog for this item. David - Concerto for Viola/Piano
Unlike some modern viola concertos, Dávid writes challenging passages that sound harder than they are—thirds, sixths, and rapid string crossings lay well under the hand. Unlike his later works, which ventured into atonal
Gyula Dávid (1913–1977), Hungarian violist and composer Work: Viola Concerto (c. 1950) Source: IMSLP (typeset / public domain in some regions)
Following the footsteps of Kodály and Béla Bartók, he integrated modal melodies and rhythmic vitality into classical structures.
Gyula Dávid Viola Concerto (1950) is a cornerstone of 20th-century Hungarian viola repertoire, though finding it on public domain platforms like can be tricky due to copyright status. The Story Behind the Music
While the viola concerto is a work of lasting success, it has not become a staple in the mainstream recording catalog. The most definitive recording is from , featuring Pal Lukacs (the dedicatee) as the solo violist.