Gyula David Viola Concerto Imslp - !full!
Because the score is largely restricted on public domain archives, performers and academic researchers can secure authorized physical editions, commercial prints, and research aids through several established channels: List of works by Gyula Major - IMSLP
: Notably recorded by violist Pál Lukács, often paired with the Bartók Viola Concerto of this concerto? Dávid: Viola Concerto - Ficks Music
The concerto follows a traditional three-movement structural model:
The concerto was written during a period of intense artistic state-control in Hungary, yet it maintains a high degree of artistic integrity. It is deeply lyrical, exploiting the melancholic and robust qualities of the viola. Structural Breakdown
: In countries where copyright expires 50 years after the creator's death, Dávid's works entered the public domain on January 1, 2028. Gyula David Viola Concerto Imslp
Gyula Dávid passed away in 1977. In the European Union and countries with a "Life + 70 years" copyright term, his works remain under copyright protection until January 1, 2048 .
Dávid avoids the common pitfall of drowning out the solo viola with heavy brass or dense string textures. Instead, he uses a transparent, chamber-like approach to orchestration, allowing the solo instrument to cut through through registers that showcase its expressive, vocal quality. The IMSLP Copyright Status Explained
The authoritative, legal edition of the score and the solo viola part with piano reduction is actively published and sold by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB) .
His compositional style is often described as "Hungarian neoclassicism." While he admired Bartók and Kodály, Dávid avoided the extremes of dissonance and folkloristic transcription. Instead, he synthesized clear, diatonic melodies, muscular rhythms, and transparent forms that recall earlier eras while maintaining a distinctly 20th-century Hungarian accent. Because the score is largely restricted on public
Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) was a Hungarian composer whose output includes orchestral, chamber, choral, and solo works rooted in mid-20th-century Hungarian musical practice. His music blends elements of national musical language with modernist techniques of the period, often favoring clear forms, strong melodic content, and effective orchestration.
While the viola concerto is a work of lasting success, it has not become a staple in the mainstream recording catalog. The most definitive recording is from , featuring Pal Lukacs (the dedicatee) as the solo violist.
For those interested in learning more about Gyula David and his music, here are some additional resources:
You can find the piano reduction and full score at retailers like Ficks Music and Stretta Music . Structural Breakdown : In countries where copyright expires
As Gyula Dávid's music remains under copyright, the official publisher is . The most widely available version is the piano reduction , which is suitable for performance with piano accompaniment or for study purposes.
Dávid's concerto is a masterpiece of neo-classical clarity. Without directly quoting melodies, he captures the spirit of Hungarian folk music through its characteristic rhythms, intervals, and melodic shapes, grounding it in a clear, tonal framework. What makes this concerto truly special is its deep understanding of the viola; it avoids the pitfalls of being a violin concerto simply transposed down a fifth. Instead, Dávid uses the viola’s unique tonal palette, embracing its dark, mellow, and penetrating voice, making it one of the great 20th-century concertos for the instrument.
: Under the standard EU and international rule of Life + 70 years , Dávid's complete catalog remains fully under copyright protection until January 1, 2048 .