R. Strauss — Don Juan, viola passages

Conservatory-level. Every dimension is being measured.

Viola84 bpm45s take

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Where this excerpt appears

Major North American orchestra viola section auditions
Principal viola auditions (regional and civic level)
Conservatory graduate viola auditions
Summer festival orchestra viola selection rounds

Panel-ready practice tips

1.The viola section plays underneath the violin opening — panels judge section audition on rhythmic togetherness with an imagined violin part, not solo projection.
2.The C-string articulation is the most distinguishing challenge; Strauss sits viola on the lowest strings where bow control is hardest.
3.The fast sixteenth passages require wrist-level articulation, not arm. If the arm swings you will lag.
4.Tempo trap: viola passages feel like they should be slower because they sit lower — resist. Match the violin tempo.
5.The descending sequences in the middle section require bow-distribution planning in advance; free-bowing will leave you stranded by bar 8.