For all you fellow string players, I was considering playing this piece for an audition. The song's definitely not out of my comfort zone, and the key isn't a huge problem. However, I was just curious where this song stands in terms of difficulty, especially compared to Viotti's Concerto No. 22, or maybe on the ABRSM scale. Plus, since it's for an audition where you can pick a solo work of your choice, I really want a song that can show all of my abilities.

Glad to have found another Viotti fan. I think he's underrated. (Had an interesting life too, incidentally - gave up violin playing in order to become a wine merchant!)

Unfortunately I only know nos 19 (G minor) and 22, but if 23 is technically and musically similar (which I imagine is the case) it would be a pretty perfect audition piece.

I think these concertos tend to be tackled by diploma level players.

Just make sure there aren't any prescribed works for the audition! Sometimes they have set pieces, because it makes comparing playing skills and styles of each candidate much clearer to those who are sat on the panel.

If there are no set works then whatever you choose make sure you it's a piece that you really are in control of, musically and technically on instrument! Audition nerves can easily send things off the rails.

As for difficulty, I would rate 23 as probably the most difficult of the Viotti concerti. I'm not aware of it being on any current diploma list - certainly not in the UK anyway - but if it was, it would probably be Licentiate or above.

Incidentally, it was Viotti who made Stradivari violins famous. Until then nobody had taken much notice of them. Being in the employment of Marie Antoinette helped get Viotti's name known, although he fled France during the French Revolution and came to London, where he said "The English preferred drink in favour of music!" However, his wine mechant dabblings weren't a huge success. Like many musicians he wasn't a particularly good businessman in terms of the sorting out the finances, so he ended up going back to playing the violin. He died more or less in poverty, living on help and handouts from wealthier friends.

The Viotti Strad is now on display at the RAM.