Viola

The viola is one of the four main String Instruments that comprise a string orchestra. It serves as the alto voice of the violin family.

Though similar in shape to a violin, the viola is slightly larger and lower in pitch by a perfect fifth. It is usually tuned from high to low, a d g c, an octave higher than the violoncello. The tone of the viola also sets it apart from the violin, being less brilliant and warmer.

The viola has been the subject of many jokes because of its lesser role in orchestral music, implying that one does not require as much talent to play it. However, many musicians claim that the viola is actually more difficult to play and it has its own rewards.

Some famous viola players include William Primrose, Paul Hindemith, (who also composed for the instrument), Yuri Bashmet, Nobuko Imay, John Cale,Whit Schroder and the Texas blues violist and guitarist Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. Many famous violinists also play, or have played, the viola as a secondary instrument, such as Itzhak Perlman, David Gilmour and Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Some famous works for the viola include viola sonatas by Brahms, (Brahms' own transcriptions of his clarinet sonatas, op.120) and the works of English composers such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, (who studied the instrument)Benjamin Britten, Frank Bridge, Rebecca Clarke, and Arnold Bax, who used the unique tone of the instrument in their compositions.

Two major compositions for the instrument with orchestra that are regularly played are Berlioz's "Harold in Italy", a musical invocation of a part of Byron's epic "Childe Harold's Pilgrimage"; and William Walton's Viola Concerto, one of the great string concertos of the 20th century.

The viola was W. A. Mozart's instrument of choice when playing chamber music with his friends. His "Kegelstatt" Trio for piano, viola and clarinet is a rare example of this combination.

Dmitri Shostakovich's last work is his Viola Sonata.

Notable works for viola

• Hindemith - Viola Concerto "Der Schwanendreher" (1935)
• Walton - Concerto in A minor (1929)