Portnoff Violin Concertino Op 13 for Violin and String Orchestra

Portnoff: Violin Concertino Op. 13 (Arr. Violin and String Orchestra)

Portnoff's Violin Concertino Op. 13 follows the same philosophy as all his student concerto writing: the primary goal is musical beauty, not technical display. The piece asks a Grade 5 violinist to develop tone, phrasing, and sound production, with the technical demands growing naturally from the music rather than existing for their own sake. This arrangement sets it for solo violin and string orchestra, giving the solo line a full orchestral accompaniment.

The solo part covers the technical ground that matters at Grade 5. Good bow distribution and solid sound production run throughout, alongside a variety of bowing styles that broaden the player's technical range. There is some double stopping against open strings, which adds colour and a new technical challenge without being unreasonably demanding. Left-hand passages focus on finger independence and building left-hand facility, always in a musical rather than an exercise-like context. The orchestral parts support the soloist clearly and give the ensemble a meaningful musical role without pulling focus from the solo line.

At nine minutes, it's a substantial piece for a student concert programme: long enough to feel like a proper concerto, manageable enough for realistic preparation.

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 (solo)
• Duration: approximately 9 minutes
• Style focus: tone production, bow distribution, bowing styles, double stopping against open strings, finger independence
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

This works well as a solo feature in school concerts, music service orchestral days, and youth orchestra programmes. It suits Grade 5 violinists who are ready to focus on musical communication and sound quality, and the orchestral parts are straightforward enough for mixed-ability ensembles. Teachers will find it a useful vehicle for developing bow technique and left-hand facility in a genuinely musical context.