Skip to main content

Viola

 


The viola is sometimes considered the poor relation of the string family, which is hardly surprising: the double bass occupies the role of the orchestra’s grandfather, the violin leads the ensemble, and the cello is used in many different ways thanks to its beautiful, warm tone. The viola, however, often buried within the string section, rarely has the opportunity to shine as a solo instrument.

The viola is larger than the violin, although it does not have a fixed size, as it is made in several different dimensions. In general, it closely resembles the violin in shape, but it differs in range, tone color, and musical role. The viola bow is also slightly longer and heavier than the violin bow.

The lowest string of the viola is C (C3), one octave below middle C, and the instrument is tuned in perfect fifths: C, G, D, and A. The open strings of the viola have the same names as those of the cello, but they sound one octave higher.

The name “viola” was originally used for the viola da gamba, an instrument held between the legs. However, it was the viola da braccio that was the true ancestor of both the violin and the modern viola, since it was supported on the shoulder.

In general, the viola has been used primarily as an instrument that supports rhythm and harmony in symphonic and chamber music. When it appears as a solo instrument, it reveals a unique tone color, due to its slightly nasal sound, which can become particularly dark and mysterious.

Toward the end of the eighteenth century, the popularity of the viola increased as musicians began to recognize the distinctive beauty of its tone. Hector Berlioz, in his work Harold in Italy, wrote a magnificent and pioneering part for solo viola, helping to establish the instrument’s expressive potential.


How the Viola Works

The viola functions in much the same way as the violin, with the main difference being its lower pitch. When the bow is drawn across the strings, the air inside the body of the instrument vibrates and amplifies the sound. The volume of the sound depends on a combination of bow pressure, bow speed, and the point of contact between the bow and the string.

For notes of long duration, the full length of the bow is used, while shorter notes are produced with brief bow strokes. As with the violin, pizzicato is produced by plucking the string with the fingers. Before playing, the performer applies a special resin, known as rosin, to the horsehair of the bow in order to create sufficient friction and set the strings into vibration.




Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Johann Strauss II - Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka, Op. 214 in A major

Johann Strauss II composed "Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka"  in 1858 after a successful tour of Russia where he performed in the summer concert season at Pavlovsk, Saint Petersburg. It was first performed in a concert in Vienna on 24 November 1858. The German word "trarch" means gossip, while the word "tritsch" has no meaning. The title is a sample of Johann Strauss II's habit of creating puns. In this case he wanted to imitate sonically the English expression "chit-chat" (drizzle, gossip). The music is lively and Strauss hypothesized that many dancers could wait while chatting until a waltz is played. The composer wrote in his diary that at the time he was conducting a series of concerts in London, the audience asked for this polka 38 times!  It is a lively, rhythmic work, in A major, which uses brilliant brass and percussion instruments and is widely decorated with trills and a multitude of musical ornaments. Interpretively it is a demanding work, ...
1 comment
Read more

Robert Schumann - "Träumerei" or "Dreaming" (from the album Kinderszenen or "Scenes from Childhood"), Op. 15, No. 7

'The Woodman's Child' painting of Arthur Hughes, expresses wonderfully the dreamy quality of "Dreaming" from Schumann's "Scenes from Childhood". For Robert Schumann , music was almost always a personal expression of contemplation, feelings and poetic contemplation and that is exactly what makes him one of the most important romantic composers. The piano was Schumann's first love and his compositions for this instrument are among the most resistant through the passage of time. Schumann composed "Scenes from Childhood" album, the best-known of all his pianistic circles, in 1838. It consists of 13 "peculiarly small works", as described by the composer, each with its own title, which expresses a specific childhood memory. These works are all simple and charming, but Dreaming ( Träumerei) is the most popular and best known of all.  It is often included in musical collections for solo piano and often the virtuoso performers includ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Johann Straus II - Vergnügungszug (Pleasure Train), op. 281

Johann Strauss II , celebrated for his waltzes and lively dance music, followed a distinctive creative approach. He consistently sought contemporary and recognizable themes as the inspiration for his compositions, ensuring that his music remained fresh and closely connected to the everyday experiences of his audiences. A characteristic example of this approach can be found in Vergnügungszug (Pleasure Train), a fast polka ( Polka schnell ) composed in 1864. The work was written for one of the famous summer concerts Strauss conducted in Pavlovsk, near St. Petersburg, where he spent several seasons presenting new compositions. For this particular piece, Strauss drew inspiration from a symbol of modern progress at the time: the steam locomotive. The composition vividly captures the energy and motion of a train in full operation. Its driving rhythm evokes the steady chugging of a steam engine, while short, repeated figures suggest the mechanical movement of the wheels along the tracks. Str...
Post a Comment
Read more