Rieding Violin Concerto Op 36 for String Orchestra

Rieding: Violin Concerto in B minor, Op. 36 (Arr. Violin and String Orchestra)

Op. 36 sits a grade or so below its companion Op. 35, making it the more appropriate starting point for a Grade 3 to 4 player. The melodies are appealing and well-shaped, and the writing sits under the hand in a way that lets a student concentrate on how to play rather than just what to play. The technical demands at this level are centred on the bow: slurring, combinations of slurred and separate bow strokes, and the control that comes from learning to create musical shapes with the right arm. This arrangement sets the original violin and piano version for solo violin and string orchestra.

The piece is specific in what it asks of the left hand: finger independence and enough left-hand work to provide a challenge at Grade 3 to 4 standard, without the technique ever becoming the obstacle. The more substantial learning is in the bow arm: working out how to move between slurred and separate bowing within a phrase, and how those bow shapes affect the music. A student who prepares this concerto carefully will come out of it with better coordination between both hands.

The string orchestra gives the soloist a warm, supportive backdrop and the experience of performing with an ensemble from an early stage. At nine minutes across three movements, it is a complete concerto experience rather than a short exercise, and that matters for a young player's sense of what they are working towards.

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 3-4 (solo); Intermediate (orchestra)
• Duration: approximately 9 minutes
• Style focus: bow technique, slurring, mixed bow strokes, finger independence
• Format: PDF download, full score and all parts

Who it's for

This suits student soloists at Grade 3 to 4 who are ready for their first full concerto experience and would benefit from a piece that develops bow technique in a musical context. Teachers looking for repertoire that teaches something specific without sacrificing musical appeal will find Op. 36 a well-targeted choice at this level. It works well as a solo feature for school or youth orchestras, and the string ensemble version gives the concerto the concert presence a young soloist deserves.