Faure Berceuse Op.16 for Viola and String Orchestra

Fauré: Berceuse Op. 16 for Viola and String Orchestra

Fauré's Berceuse, Op. 16 is a lullaby: a flowing, gently rocking melody that asks for the kind of sustained, singing tone that makes a string instrument sound at its most naturally expressive. Originally for violin and piano, this arrangement transcribes the solo part for viola and sets it with a newly composed string orchestra accompaniment, a combination that suits the piece's warmth and gentle melancholy particularly well.

At Grade 7 the left-hand work is well within reach. The melody moves up the A string into higher positions in places, but the shifts are gradual and comfortable, and a student who is secure at this grade will manage them without difficulty. What the piece is genuinely about is the bow arm. A berceuse needs to float and rock rather than press and drive, and producing that quality consistently requires careful attention to three things: the speed of the bow, the weight behind it, and the point of contact with the string. Change any one of these and the tone changes; the player who finds the right combination will produce a sound that seems to sustain and sing effortlessly. Fauré's harmonic language has a characteristic richness and chromaticism that rewards a player who is genuinely listening to what the orchestra is doing beneath them, and the expressive shaping of the melodic line needs to respond to that harmonic movement rather than sit above it untouched.

The string orchestra provides the gently rocking accompaniment that gives the berceuse its character. The parts are undemanding and allow the ensemble to focus on a light, even texture that supports the soloist.

At four minutes, the Berceuse has the weight of a considered lyrical statement without overstaying its welcome. Given the relative scarcity of quality viola solo repertoire at this level, it is a genuinely useful addition alongside the more familiar violin literature.

See and hear the difference

Check the score and parts preview images above, then watch the complete score video below. They'll give you a clear picture of the engraving quality and overall difficulty before you buy.

Key features

• Instrumentation: Solo Viola + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: ABRSM Grade 7 (solo); Intermediate (ensemble)
• Duration: approximately 4 minutes
• Style focus: bow distribution, tone production, melodic shaping
• Orchestration: newly composed string orchestra accompaniment based on the original piano part
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits Grade 7 violists who are ready to focus on tone production and bow control as a distinct area of development, and who need a piece with genuine musical substance to work on rather than a technical exercise. It also works well in school and youth orchestra concerts, and is a natural choice wherever a gentle, expressive viola solo is wanted.