The Viola is slightly larger than the Violin, so many see it as the Violin’s older brother or sister. The Viola measures in at just over two feet and its strings are thicker than the Violin, meaning the Viola produces a richer and warmer sound. You play the Viola the same way as you do the Violin, resting the instrument between your chin and shoulder. Pressing down on the strings with your left hand changes the notes and pitch of the instrument and your right hand moves the bow or plucks the strings. Here are ten interesting facts about this amazing instrument.
The first Viola was made by the luthier Andrea Amati in the mid 16th century. The history of the Viola is linked closely to the development of the Violin in Northern Italy. The Viola fulfilled desires for an instrument made from dark timbre. It is assumed that alto, tenor and bass versions of the Viola emerged soon after the mid 16th century.
The Viola is made up of many pieces of wood which enhance its performance. The top of the Viola is made of spruce and its back and ribs are made of maple. The Viola’s neck is made from ebony because of the wood’s hardness and beauty. After the Viola is assembled and varnished its four strings, bridge and tailpiece are added, along with other small pieces.
The MacDonald Stradivarius was played by the famous Amadeus Quartet co-founder, Peter Shcidlof until his death in 1987. Put up for auction for a cool $45 million, (£34.133 million) in 2014, the instrument has never actually sold. This one-off, musical treasure is still on the market, it’s a wonder why!
There tends to be between 10 and 14 Violas in an Orchestra and they almost always play the harmony. Playing the Viola will mean you have to learn a whole new clef, named alto clef. The Viola has a ‘C’ string, which the Violin doesn’t. The Viola is strung with C, G, D and A. Its tuning is one fifth below the Violin and an octave above the Cello.
The Viola is primarily used in chamber music and orchestral pieces. However, the Viola also appears in folk, jazz, rock and pop music. Famous rock and pop bands which have used the Viola include; The Cure, The WHO, Van Morrison and The Beatles. Well known Jazz musicians who have used the Viola include; Leroy Jenkins and Will Taylor. Well known Folk musicians who have used the Viola include; Mary Ramsey and Nancy Kerr.
The Viola produces a rich, sombre and impactful tone. Composers are keen to make the Viola shine and build its long-standing repertoire. There are more Viola soloists emerging every day. Brett Dean, James MacMillan and Mark Anthony Turnage have all recently written stunning Viola concertos. Brett Dean calls the Viola a “curiously beautiful, enigmatic instrument”.
The Viola’s name originates from the Italian ‘viola de braccio’ which translates to ‘on the arm’. The world’s largest ever recorded Viola ensemble took place in Porto in Portugal on the 19th May, 2013. The Viola flash mob was made up of 353 players. The event was organized by the Portuguese Viola Association as part of their biennial conference.