Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) was a Hungarian composer whose output blends mid-20th‑century modernism with folk-inflected lyricism. His concertos, written in a post‑Bartók Hungarian musical climate, often juxtapose driving rhythms, modal melodies, and colorful orchestration.
If you mean a specific concerto by Dávid available on IMSLP (the International Music Score Library Project), here are concise, engaging angles you can use for content (social posts, program notes, or a short blog):
If you want, I can:
The Viola Concerto (1951) by Hungarian composer Gyula Dávid is not currently available in the public domain on IMSLP due to copyright restrictions (the composer passed away in 1977). Since you are preparing the piece, 1. Where to Find the Score
Publisher: The concerto was originally published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB). You can typically find it for purchase or rental through their official distributors (like Hal Leonard or Boosey & Hawkes).
Libraries: Check the WorldCat database to find a physical copy in a university or conservatory library near you. 2. Piece Overview and Structure
Dávid’s concerto is a staple of the 20th-century Hungarian viola repertoire, heavily influenced by the folk-inspired language of Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály.
I. Allegro moderato: Features a driving, rhythmic opening with folk-like modal melodies.
II. Adagio: A deeply expressive, lyrical movement showcasing the viola's dark, "cantabile" quality.
III. Allegro: A spirited, dance-like finale with syncopated rhythms and virtuosic flourishes. 3. Preparation Tips
Rhythmic Precision: Like much Hungarian music of this era, the piece uses "parlando-rubato" and "tempo giusto" styles. Pay close attention to the snap rhythms (short-long) and asymmetric accents.
Tonal Language: The work is tonal but uses Modal scales (Lydian and Phrygian influences) and quartal harmony. Familiarize your ears with these intervals to help with intonation.
Orchestration: The orchestration is transparent but can be rhythmically complex. If practicing with the piano reduction, ensure you listen to a recording to understand how the viola interacts with the woodwind colors. 4. Recommended Recordings For reference on phrasing and tempo, listen to:
Pál Lukács: The violist to whom the work was dedicated; his interpretation is considered the historical standard.
László Bársony: Offers a modern, clean perspective on the rhythmic drive of the outer movements. Gyula David Viola Concerto Imslp
Viola Concerto (1950) by Hungarian composer Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) is currently not available for free download
because it is still protected by copyright in most countries.
Under European and international law, works remain under copyright for 70 years after the composer’s death. Since Dávid passed away in 1977, his works are generally expected to enter the public domain around Key Details & Where to Find the Score
If you need the music for performance or study, you must obtain it through official commercial channels: Publisher: The concerto is published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB) Purchasing Options: Sheet Music Retailers:
You can buy the piano reduction and solo part from specialist stores like Presto Music Ficks Music Libraries: For academic study, check the WorldCat database
to see if a university or national library near you holds a physical copy. Musical Style:
The concerto is approximately 27 minutes long and is known for its lyrical and virtuosic writing, blending mid-20th-century Hungarian modernism with traditional concerto forms. Ficks Music Summary Table Information Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) Viola Concerto (1950) IMSLP Status Unavailable (Copyright protected) Main Publisher Editio Musica Budapest (EMB) ~27 Minutes musical structure of the concerto? Viola Concerto (Walton, William) - IMSLP
Headline: The Unsung Hero of the String Section: Unlocking Gyula Dávid’s Viola Concerto on IMSLP
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If you were to ask the average classical music enthusiast to name a viola concerto, the answer is almost immediate: Walton. Perhaps Hindemith. If they are well-versed, they might offer Bartók or Stamitz.
But if you type "viola concerto" into the search bar of the Internet Music Score Library Project (IMSLP), looking for something that bridges the gap between the lush romanticism of the 19th century and the jagged modernism of the 20th, you will find a hidden gem sitting patiently in the digital stacks: the Viola Concerto by Gyula Dávid.
For violists looking to expand their repertoire beyond the standard warhorses, the IMSLP entry for Gyula Dávid’s concerto is not just a file download; it is an invitation to rediscover a significant, yet neglected, voice in Hungarian music history.
For the modern violist accessing the score via IMSLP, specific performance practice issues arise.
The first movement opens with a brief, energetic orchestral introduction before the soloist enters with a dramatic, declamatory theme. The writing is idiomatic, utilizing the instrument’s low C-string for dark, resonant passages and shifting to the bright A-string for singing melodies. The development section is compact, focusing on rhythmic drive rather than tonal wandering. Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) was a Hungarian composer whose
Title: Gyula Dávid – Viola Concerto (1950)
IMSLP Link: (Search “Dávid, Gyula” – work is public domain in many countries)
Difficulty: Advanced / Professional
Style: Neo-classical with Hungarian folk inflections
Why it’s obscure: Eastern European 20th-century works often overlooked in standard viola repertoire.
Here’s some good, usable content about Gyula Dávid’s Viola Concerto and its availability on IMSLP, structured for a blog post, program note, or video script.
The finale is a spirited rondo infused with Hungarian dance rhythms (verbunkos style). It is playful ("giocoso") yet technically demanding, featuring rapid string crossings, double stops, and syncopated accents. It brings the concerto to a brilliant, optimistic close.
Why is this piece not performed in Carnegie Hall? The answer likely lies in the cruel arithmetic of the repertoire: there are only so many slots for viola concertos in a symphony season, and programmers rarely take risks on "unknown" names.
However, the availability of the score on IMSLP changes the equation. It empowers students, professionals, and conservatories to take the initiative. It allows a student in Ohio or a professional in Berlin to download the part, walk into their teacher's studio, and say, "Have you heard this?"
Gyula Dávid’s Viola Concerto is a major work by a minor master. It is a piece that deserves to be rescued from the footnotes of music history. Thanks to the democratizing power of IMSLP, the barrier to entry has been removed.
For the violist tired of the same old repertoire, or the listener looking for a "new" 20th-century masterpiece, the search bar is open. Gyula Dávid is waiting.
The Viola Concerto by Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) is a cornerstone of 20th-century Hungarian repertoire. Composed in 1951, it blends the folk-inspired rhythms of the "Budapest School" with neoclassical structural clarity. Overview of the Work Composer: Gyula Dávid, a student of Zoltán Kodály. Composition Date: 1951.
Dedication: Written for Pál Lukács, a preeminent Hungarian violist.
Style: Post-Romantic with strong Hungarian folk-modal influences. Musical Characteristics
Thematic Material: Uses pentatonic scales and "parlando-rubato" rhythms characteristic of Hungarian folk music.
Orchestration: Transparent and supportive, ensuring the viola’s lower register is never overwhelmed.
Structure: Follows a traditional three-movement concerto form (Fast–Slow–Fast).
Technicality: Known for challenging double-stops, rapid string crossings, and lyrical cantabile sections. IMSLP and Copyright Status 💡 Note on Availability: Gyula Dávid died in 1977. If you want, I can:
Under most international copyright laws (Life + 50 or Life + 70 years), his works are not yet in the public domain.
While a landing page for "Gyula Dávid" exists on IMSLP, you will likely find limited or no scores available for free download due to active copyright held by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB). How to Access the Score
Publisher: Look for editions published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB).
Interlibrary Loan: Most music conservatories and university libraries hold physical copies.
Digital Purchase: Many legal sheet music retailers offer digital PDF versions for purchase. If you'd like, I can help you:
Find similar concertos from the same era (like Bartók or Serly). Analyze a specific movement of this work. Locate recordings by famous violists to use as a reference.
The Viola Concerto by Hungarian composer Gyula Dávid (1913–1977) is a significant work in the 20th-century viola repertoire, known for blending the spirit of Hungarian folk music with a modern orchestral language.
While there is no dedicated page for this specific work on IMSLP (it is still under copyright in many regions), the full score and piano reduction are published by Editio Musica Budapest (EMB). Musical Style & Composition
Dávid was a student of Zoltán Kodály and was a professional violist himself, which contributes to the work's idiomatic writing for the instrument.
Hungarian Influence: Although Dávid rarely quoted folk tunes directly, the "spirit" of Hungarian musical tradition—characterized by specific rhythmic gestures and melodic inflections—is woven throughout the piece.
Tonal Language: Composed in 1950 (published in 1952), the concerto predates Dávid's later shift toward atonal and twelve-tone music. It maintains a largely tonal but harmonically advanced palette typical of the post-Bartók/Kodály generation. Structure & Movements The concerto follows a standard three-movement structure: I. Allegro moderato: Sets a serious yet energetic tone.
II. Andante molto tranquillo: A lyrical, introspective movement that highlights the "reflective" nature of the viola.
III. Vivace: A virtuosic finale requiring high technical agility. Available Resources
Sheet Music: You can find the piano reduction and full score at retailers like Ficks Music and Stretta Music.
Analysis: A detailed Level VI analysis (7 pages) by Ross Hamilton is available for purchase at MusicAnalysis.com.au.
Recordings: The work has been recorded by prominent Hungarian violists and is often paired with the Bartók Viola Concerto in collections. If you are looking to perform this piece, Go to product viewer dialog for this item. David - Concerto for Viola/Piano