Kreisler Liebesleid for Viola and String Orchestra

Kreisler's Liebesleid ("Love's Sorrow") is the slow, wistful waltz from his Alt-Wiener Tanzweisen ("Old Viennese Dance Tunes") set: a sustained, melancholic piece that asks the player to carry a long, expressive melody over a gentle accompaniment. This arrangement sets it for solo viola and string orchestra, where the instrument's naturally darker tone suits the character of the piece particularly well.

At Grade 7-8, the solo demands centre on sustained legato, expressive rubato, and the ability to maintain a rich, warm tone throughout long phrases in the viola's middle and upper register. The piece doesn't ask for fast passagework or dramatic position changes — the challenge is in the quality and control of the sound, and in the musical maturity needed to shape a slow, expressive melody convincingly. For any viola player at this level working on tone production and phrasing, it's well-chosen repertoire.

The string orchestra provides a gentle harmonic framework that gives the soloist space to shape the music freely.

At three to four minutes, it makes a well-proportioned recital piece or concert item. The wistful character gives it a different emotional weight from more technically driven repertoire, and it pairs naturally with Schön Rosmarin if a short contrasting Kreisler programme is wanted.

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 and String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 7-8
• Duration: approximately 3-4 minutes
• Style focus: sustained legato, expressive rubato, Viennese Romantic character
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

Suits an advanced viola student or professional looking for a lyrical recital piece that prioritises tonal quality and musical expression over technical display. Works well as a solo feature in school or youth orchestra concerts, and pairs naturally with Schön Rosmarin for a short Kreisler programme.