Rediscovering Maurice Vieux: Forgotten Voices of the French Viola School

This lecture recital draws from my doctoral research into the legacy of Maurice Vieux (1878–1951), the Paris conservatory professor who shaped the modern French viola school. While his pedagogical works remain in print, much of the recital repertoire inspired by him has been forgotten. These works not only reflect the refined aesthetics of early 20th-century French music, they also serve as valuable teaching and performance resources for violists today.
The program features three works
Eugène Cools Andante Sério: A deeply expressive and lyrical piece that captures the soulful sound of the viola. Cools, a contemporary of Vieux, wrote this piece with a clear sense of vocal phrasing and refined harmonic color. Though rarely played today, it deserves a fresh hearing for its emotional depth and simplicity of form.

Henri Casadesus Deux Pièces pour alto et piano: These short works are graceful and full of charm, offering great variety in mood and style. Casadesus, often remembered for his “Baroque” pastiches, also wrote original viola music that reflects the elegance of the early 20th-century French salon tradition
René Julien Lied: A gentle and melodic miniature that highlights the viola’s ability to sing. Julien’s writing encourages the player to focus on sound, nuance, and shaping—elements central to Vieux’s teaching philosophy.

The lecture will provide historical background on each composer, the works’ connections to Vieux, and how they align with his technical and musical priorities. I will also address how these pieces can be used in teaching studios, competitions, and professional programming. Attendees will receive a handout with biographical sketches, difficulty levels, and score sources of all of the repertoire inspired by Vieux to encourage further exploration..
This project supports the AVS Festival’s mission to showcase lesser-known repertoire, honor historical legacies, and provide meaningful resources for the viola community.