Rieding Violin Concerto Op 35 for Violin and String Orchestra

Rieding: Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 35 (Arr. Violin and String Orchestra)

The Rieding B minor Concerto is one of the best-loved teaching concertos at Grade 4, and it deserves the reputation. The melodies are beautiful rather than merely serviceable, the writing sits naturally under the hand, and the technical demands are well-calibrated for the level: enough to stretch a Grade 4 player without the music being held hostage to the difficulties. It is the kind of piece that makes a student sound better than they thought they could. This arrangement sets the original violin and piano version for solo violin and string orchestra.

Many student pieces at this level make the technique the primary concern. The Rieding is different: the music leads, and the technical demands are there to serve it. 

The string orchestra version gives the concerto more presence and weight than a piano accompaniment can. A young soloist stepping out in front of a string ensemble for the first time is getting the full concerto experience, and the Rieding's natural, singable melodies carry well in that context.

At nine minutes across three movements, it is a complete, properly shaped concerto rather than a miniature, and that matters at this level.

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 sense of the engraving quality, orchestral balance, 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 4 (solo); Intermediate (orchestra)
• Duration: approximately 9 minutes
• Style focus: musical expressiveness, natural bow technique, melodic phrasing
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits student soloists at Grade 4 preparing for recitals, concerts, or examinations who are ready for their first full concerto experience. The combination of beautiful, accessible melodies and well-judged technical demands makes it a reliable choice for teachers who want a piece that will engage a student rather than simply challenge them. It works well as a solo feature for school or youth orchestras, where the string ensemble version gives it the concert presence the melodies deserve.