The Incomplete Rolla Viola Concerti

This lecture explores nine little-known viola concertos by Alessandro Rolla that survive in incomplete form, offering a rare glimpse into both the challenges and possibilities of reconstructing lost repertoire. These works fall into three categories: four concertos with only the solo part extant (BI. 329, 552, 553, 554), three partially completed concertos (BI. 542, 548, 555), one concerto missing its solo part, and one with only a few missing bars (BI. 541).

I will focus on the research and editorial process behind completing and publishing BI. 541, 542, 548, and 555 with Gems Music Publications. Participants will gain insight into the detective work required to bridge gaps in manuscript sources—examining Rolla’s compositional style, harmonic language, and formal structures to ensure stylistic integrity. I will discuss how I identified and reconstructed missing sections, resolved ambiguous notation, and prepared performance-ready editions while retaining scholarly transparency.

The session will also address practical considerations for performers and editors facing incomplete works: determining when reconstruction is feasible, balancing historical accuracy with modern playability, and making editorial decisions visible to the user. Audio and score examples will illustrate the transformation from fragmentary source to complete, performable concerto.

AVS Festival attendees can expect to leave with:

A deeper appreciation of Rolla’s contribution to the viola repertoire.

A practical framework for approaching incomplete historical works.

Awareness of newly available editions that expand the performer’s concerto options.

By reviving these neglected concertos, we not only enrich the viola’s repertoire but also honor Rolla’s enduring legacy, offering today’s violists fresh opportunities to connect with a composer whose music bridges the Classical and Romantic eras.