Portnoff Fantasia No. 2 for Violin and String Orchestra

Good — the theme and variations structure and the double stopping are both worth naming. Here it is:

Portnoff's Fantasia No. 2 in D minor opens very differently from its predecessor: a sustained, lyrical section that asks for long bow strokes and a singing tone before the piece moves into a theme and variations. It's a well-designed piece for the grade, and the two contrasting demands — sustained legato playing followed by energetic bow work — make it more rounded technically than Fantasia No. 1.

At Grade 5, the writing asks for more than the first Fantasia. The opening section is about tone production and control: long, even bow strokes, careful dynamics, and the ability to shape a melody rather than just play the notes. The variations bring a different set of challenges: string crossings, active bow technique, and double stopping that introduces the left hand to a skill many Grade 5 players are just beginning to develop. For a teacher putting together a recital programme or looking for repertoire that covers specific technical ground, that combination is genuinely useful.

The orchestra's role is supportive throughout, and the ensemble parts sit comfortably within a standard intermediate range. The solo violin is always at the front of the texture.

At three minutes it fits neatly into a student recital — long enough to give the soloist a real performance experience, short enough not to overstay its welcome.

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 Violin + String Orchestra (Violin I, Violin II, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
• Difficulty: approximately ABRSM Grade 5
• Duration: approximately 3 minutes
• Style focus: sustained legato tone, string crossings, bow technique, double stopping
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits violinists at Grade 5 who are ready for a recital piece that covers real technical ground: sustained bow control in the opening, then active bow technique and double stopping through the variations. It works well in school concerts and junior conservatoire recitals, and it sequences naturally after Fantasia No. 1 for teachers building a student through Portnoff's pedagogical repertoire. The orchestral writing is accessible enough that ensemble preparation won't become the main challenge.