Mikhail Misha Galaganov

Solo and chamber music performances around the world

Master classes and lectures in major universities including Juilliard, Shanghai Conservatory, Rice University, and others

International festivals

Articles in STRAD and other string publications

Transcriptions for viola of music by Paganini and Tartini

Reviews in ASTA magazine

Presentations at American Viola Society festivals

Video series on best viola etudes, and others

A 30-minute routine to keep your playing on top form: STRAD, February 2020

Trills and embellishments: How to develop finger strength and control for even, well-articulated ornaments: STRAD, October 2021

Yuri Kramarov and his legacy: STRAD, commissioned feature article scheduled for publication in 2022-23

Sonata Devil Trills by Tartini, arranged for viola with 2^nd viola accompaniment from the original publication for violin and cello: IMSLP

Sonata for Viola and Piano by Pierre Kunc, co-editor: IMSLP

Charm, Passion, and Acrobatics: CD of music for viola and piano by Chausson, Inghelbreght, and Kinc (June, 2022)

A Musical Celebration: CD featuring Trio Con Brio performing music by Ewazen and Sokolovsky

Chiaroscuro: CD featuring music by Richard Lavenda

American Viola Society

Chamber Music Society

Music College Society

Chamber Music America

American String Teachers Association

Yearly plans (minimal requirements)

translated and adapted for use in American universities:

Please note that these plans are just guidelines, and each student is assigned programs most suitable for each individual.

1^st Year

• 1-2 works of large forms (including a classical sonata)
• 2-3 pieces of various characters
• 10-12 etudes

2^nd Year

• Polyphonic compositions, including movements from Fantasies by Telemann
• 2 works of large forms (including a classical concerto)
• 3 – 4 pieces
• 10 – 12 etudes

3^rd Year

• 2 – 3 movements from suites for cello solo by J. S. Bach; other polyphonic compositions
• 2 large-form works, such as concertos or sonatas
• 4 – 5 pieces
• 8 – 10 etudes

4^th Year

• 2 or more movements from suites or sonatas/partitas by J. S. Bach; other polyphonic compositions
• Large-form works
• 3 – 4 pieces
• 6 – 8 etudes

Scale Requirements

1^st Year

• 6 – 8 of simplest three-octave major and minor scales
• Arpeggios in all forms
• Double stops

2^nd Year

• 8 – 10 three-octave major and minor scales
• Chromatic scales with two types of fingerings: sliding and alternating
• Arpeggios
• Double Stops

3^rd Year

• All three-octave major and minor scales
• Chromatic scales in moderately fast tempi
• Arpeggios
• Double Stops, four notes to a bow in moderate tempo

4^th Year

• All three-octave scales
• Chromatic scales in fast tempi
• Arpeggios
• Double Stops in relatively fast tempi
• Harmonics natural and artificial in 4^th

Examination Requirements

At the end of the 2^nd semester, a student has to perform:

• 2 etudes on various types of technique
• Concerto (1^st movement or 2^nd and 3^rd movements) or Sonata

Sample examination programs

I

Kreutzer Etude 8

Campagnoli Etude 12

Eccles Sonata

II

Kreutzer Etude 21

Campagnoli Etude 1

Vivaldi Sonata in G minor

III

Dont Etude 14

Palaschko Etude Op. 77, No. 5

Haydn Concerto in G major, 1^st movement

IV

Campagnoli Etude No. 9

Palaschko Etude Op. 77, No. 5

Telemann Concerto

At the end of the 4th semester, a student has to perform:

• 2 etudes on various types of technique
• Concerto (1st movement or 2nd and 3rd movements) or Sonata

Sample examination programs

I

Kreutzer Etude 10

Palaschko Etude Op. 77, No. 11

Handel Sonata No. 3

II

Kreutzer Etude 12

Campagnoli Etude 15

Khandoshkin Concerto or Hoffmeister Concerto or similar

III

Campagnoli Etude 3

Palaschko Etude Op. 77, No. 14

Alexey Verstovsky (1799–1862) Variations on Two Themes (Вариации на две темы) for viola and piano; transcription by Borisovsky; or Stamitz concerto

IV

Terian Etude No. 5

Fiorillo Etude 13

Handel Concerto, 1^st and 2^nd movements or J. S. Bach Concerto 1^st and 2^nd movements, or similar

At the end of the 6th semester, a student has to perform:

• 1-2 movements from suites for cello solo by Bach
• 2 etudes on various types of technique
• Concerto (1st movement or 2nd and 3rd movements) or Sonata

Sample examination programs at the end of the 3^rd year

I

Bach Allemande and Minuet from Suite 1

Kreutzer Etude 34

Campagnoli Etude 15

Bach, F. E. Sonata

II

Bach Allemande from Suite 2

Campagnoli Etude 24

Rode Caprice 3

Dittersdorf Concerto

III

Bach Sarabande and Gigue from Suite 1

Vieuxtemps Etude

Palaschko Etude Op. 77, No. 22

Forsyth Concerto

IV

Bach Sarabande and Bourrée from Suite 3

Terian Op. 1, Etude No. 1

Campagnoli Etude 35

Zelter Concerto

On the final graduation examination [at the end of the 8^th semester], a student has to perform:

• 1 – 2 movements from suites, partitas, or sonatas by J. S. Bach
• Concerto (1^st movement or 2^nd and 3^rd movements) or sonata
• Pieces of various characters

Sample Programs of Graduation Examination

I

Bach, J. S. Sarabande and Bourrée from Suite in C major

Bach, J. C Concerto

Tchaikovsky Nocturne

Kirkor, Georg: Rondo [Rondo for viola and piano, op. 18 no. 2]

II

Bach Prelude from Suite in D minor

Vivaldi Concerto (arr. by Borisovsky)

Glinka Barcarolle [in G major]

Sulkhan Tsintsadze: Khorumi (1948)

III

Bach, J. S. Prelude from Suite in C major

Frid, Grigori: Concerto, 1^st and 2^nd movements

Sergei Rachmaninoff Vocalise for viola and piano, Op.34, #.14

Christian Sinding: Presto [from Suite Op. 10, transcribed for viola and piano]

IV

Bach Allemande and Sarabande from Partita 2

Stamitz Concerto in D major

Victor Kovalev: Poem for viola and piano, (or Bartok or Hindemith or Walton Viola concerto), 1^st movement

Rimsky-Korsakov The Flight of the Bumblebee