Viola

[germancomponist]

From all orchestral instruments, I love first the Viola. The sound of this instrument, for me it is awesome!

I do not know why... .

Have you an idea, why it in such a way?

[diligamus]

Have you an idea, why it in such a way?

Richer than the violin but less lugubrious than the cello?

The mystique of the alto clef?

My favorite instrument right now is the bobbymcferrin:

http://www.youtube.com/v/PgvJg7D6Qck

[Leaf]

A Viola is a violin who speaks with a French accent.

[danpowers]

A violin is a viola that's gone through the laundry.

[noldar12]

I wish I could remember which piece it was...

It seems to me J. S. Bach wrote at least one movement of one of his suites using only violas, cellos and basses for the strings. I remember it as sounding very rich, but for the life of me don't remember which one it was. Perhaps another forum member does?

There is also the rarest of pieces, a Sinfonia Concertante by Dittersdorf for solo viola, solo double-bass, and orchestra. Who needs those solo violins and cellos?:D

Have to also admit a real fondness for viola.

[keithjfuller]

i'm not going to lie - i don't like the viola at all. it might just be that i never heard it played in a great piece. it might just be that i heard it played in a great piece, but i thought it was a cello or a violin.

i'm not trying to dislike it or anything, i just don't know any better. i always thought that a viola started midway through the cellos range and it ended at the exact same note, and thats probably what made me dislike it - i always thought it was a little useless. if anyone knows a tune i should listen to i would love for you to let me know so i can experience the unloved intrument of the orchestra in all its glory.

[Pingu]

Have you an idea, why it in such a way?

No, but I'm sure there's medication available.

[DPDAN]

I'm with Keith,
I have really never liked the sound of a viola by itself either.

However, the quality of richness that it brings to the high strings in an orchestra is not possible with any other instrument, so we have to like it.

I understand what Keith is saying though, it is not an instrument that I would want to hear solo.

Like many instruments in the orchestra, many are not good by themselves, but the importance of those instruments to create the texture of sound,,,, well,,,, it just wouldn't sound as good without them.

I am proud of Keith for being bold, and saying what he thinks.
I would not have said what I did if it weren't for Keith's post.
So thanks Keith!
Dan :)

[Samantha Penigar]

I think it because the viola has an other world quality to its voice. It is like a violin on steroids.

[diligamus]

It seems to me J. S. Bach wrote at least one movement of one of his suites using only violas, cellos and basses

Maybe Brandenburg 6 (http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Brandenburg-Concertos-Karl-Weihs/dp/B000004164)?

[sunbird]

From all orchestral instruments, I love first the Viola.

I also love it better than the violin for example. It might have something to do with the chakras (those seven main energy centers in our body). Certain sounds have more effect on a certain chakra in your body because of your individual energy levels. When you listen to the music try to feel where the music resonances in your body and you will have the answer. Could be a great theraphy! ;)

[sunbird]

My favorite instrument right now is the bobbymcferrin:

http://www.youtube.com/v/PgvJg7D6Qck

Wow! Thanks for this surprise video! I adore Bobby Mcferrin! :p

[germancomponist]

Today I found this link:

http://www.violadamore.com/avd.asp

Don`t know. Is there a sampled Viola d`amore anywhere?

[Poolman]

I'm a viola lover, too. There are two works that everyone should listen to in order to understand the inner beauties of this instrument:

1) Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola, K 364
(Don't be put off by the title, it's the 18c way of saying "Double concerto".)

2) William Walton; Viola Concerto. Fantastically beautiful 20c work.

Enjoy!

Terry Dwyer

[snorlax]

There are several instruments in this alto-tenor range that resonate with me...
viola is one, so are alto & bass clarinet and euphonium (doh)

I seem generally to be moved by lower pitches...perhaps why I gravitated first to tuba then to euph.

Sunbird: where can I learn about chakras?

Jim

[oldbob]

... if anyone knows a tune i should listen to i would love for you to let me know so i can experience the unloved intrument of the orchestra in all its glory.

debussy's trio for flute harp and viola...

[Pingu]

if anyone knows a tune i should listen to i would love for you to let me know so i can experience the unloved intrument of the orchestra in all its glory.

Ligeti's Viola Sonata's pretty stunning.

[Cantabile]

As far as dislike and like of an instruments tone, it is only a matter of one's preference and perception.

Some say some instruments sound horrible by themselves. Now is this a preference or fact? Preference/perception/opinion.


I personally love the sound of viola alone.

Here is a perception most would think me crazy about. I prefer the sound to a well made upright piano as opposed to a Grand.


Preference/perception/opinion. If we could keep this in mind consistantly with music, there would be no musical arguments and endless debates :)

[danpowers]

...if anyone knows a tune i should listen to i would love for you to let me know so i can experience the unloved intrument of the orchestra in all its glory.
There are the Brahms viola sonatas. They're actually originally for clarinet, but Brahms himself transcribed them for viola and they are staples of the viola literature.

The Walton concerto is great, but my favorite viola concerto (maybe because I actually used to be able to play it!) is Hindemith's Der Schwanendreher, a concerto for viola and chamber orchestra based on German folk songs. Hindemith was a very fine violist himself, and actually performed the premiere of the Walton concerto.

There's the Bartok concerto too, but I've never cared for it much. Maybe it's just because he never lived to finish it, but it just doesn't seem to be up to the standard set by his violin and piano concertos.

[conwaylemmon]

HEY PEOPLE!
Sorry to yell, but we must not forget that the (arguably) most beautiful piece of music ever written, was written for orchestra (with no violins) and chorus. and that piece is the Faure Requieum.

[Pingu]

HEY PEOPLE!
Sorry to yell, but we must not forget that the (arguably) most beautiful piece of music ever written, was written for orchestra (with no violins) and chorus. and that piece is the Faure Requieum.

That would have to quite a long argument. Faure's requiem is in my top ten list of extremely irritating, overrated pieces that I can't stand listening to.

[Skysaw]

For those of you who have the Strad v1 and can't wait for the Garritan Viola, here's a little trick that gives somewhat satisfactory results if you have Kontakt and use a sampler for your work:

In Kontakt, tune the violin down a perfect fifth. In your sampler, use a MIDI transposition plug-in (if you have one) to transpose it back up a fifth. The end result is that you can play down to the viola's open C string properly on your controller, and it sounds fairly viola-like.

Caveats:
1. You must shift your keyswitches to accomodate
2. In Sonar at least, drawing on the piano roll will sound a different note than playing it back when you have transposition going.

If you'd like to hear the "vifauxla" in action, I use it in the first movement of my Brief Symphony (http://www.northernsounds.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54169), starting at about 1:18. It's not perfect, but at least it's something while I wait for the real thing.

[DarwinKopp]

Conway,


HEY PEOPLE!
Sorry to yell, but we must not forget that the (arguably) most beautiful piece of music ever written, was written for orchestra (with no violins) and chorus. and that piece is the Faure Requieum.

My score has the 1st and 2nd violins entering in the third movement, but it certainly is viola-centric.

In fact, this score has always been a bit of an oddity to me. I normally play timpani on it, but the scoring is so sparse, I basically sit most of it out. This goes for all the wind parts as well. The various instruments sometimes claim bragging rights as to who has the fewest notes. I think Faure could have simply scored strings, harp, organ, and horns supporting the chorus and there would been very little difference. On the other hand, it's usually a paid gig and nice to listen to...

[danpowers]

I think Faure could have simply scored strings, harp, organ, and horns supporting the chorus and there would been very little difference.
I think that's exactly what he did originally. It's been a while since I've heard this piece, but if I remember right, it was originally scored for a string orchestra of violas, cellos, and basses, with a solo violin added in the "Sanctus," plus horns, harp, organ, and timpani. He expanded it later, adding extra woodwinds and brass.

For another orchestra work that omits violins, check out the Brahms Serenade in A. Lots of nice viola work in that.

[danveach]

I've heard that the unique sound of the viola is due to the fact that its body is too small for its range. Its thicker strings and lower tone would best be served by a larger instrument, but a properly-sized viola would be too big to hold on your arm and too small to rest on the floor like a cello. So they compromised for the sake of agility and portability.

[Skysaw]

I don't think I would like it as much if it were an alto cello or a tenor violin.
Don't be silly, it's a soprano bass!

[Craig F]

I've heard that the unique sound of the viola is due to the fact that its body is too small for its range. Its thicker strings and lower tone would best be served by a larger instrument Dr. Carleen Hutchins seems to agree with you.
http://www.newviolinfamily.org/eight.html
I wonder when Gary will be offering this Library. ;)

[bmpsound]

When first learning about orchestral instruments I once asked a violinist "what's the difference between a violin and a viola?"

"The viola burns longer!"

Of course.

:)
Steve

[truckermusic]

It seems to me that this thread is about confession............and I must admit, Yes I too have a confession..........The kazoo seems to scare me........think about it..........I mean, like on any given day you could be just out enjoying the sunshine, and environment and every thing seems to have it's place and all of a sudden it is shattered by some one indascriminatly wipping out a kazoo and starts playing this crazy thing and it brings you back to reality...........I just hate it when that happens!!!!:wow:

[Styxx]

Hm, larger than a violin, heavier strings, different tuning ... I wonder? ;)

[Skysaw]

Yay! Styxx's avatar finally got a haircut!

[dr_mcmoose]

Solo viola can be beautiful, but I admit it's tone used to annoy me for being too 'nasal'. There's a gorgeous solo (quite short) you might enjoy from the beginning of 'Song' from the Hary Janos Suite by Kodaly that utilises the Viola's lower register. Listen to a stream...

http://www.amazon.com/Kodaly-Hary-Janos-Suite-etc/dp/B000000ALE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7865878-0317727?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1182938044&sr=8-1

Cheers,
Keith.

[Styxx]

Solo viola can be beautiful, but I admit it's tone used to annoy me for being too 'nasal'. There's a gorgeous solo (quite short) you might enjoy from the beginning of 'Song' from the Hary Janos Suite by Kodaly that utilises the Viola's lower register. Listen to a stream...

http://www.amazon.com/Kodaly-Hary-Janos-Suite-etc/dp/B000000ALE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-7865878-0317727?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1182938044&sr=8-1

Cheers,
Keith.Nasal? Hm, just last evening our string teacher here at the music store set up and tuned a couple of violas. This person played with the philharmonic for quite some years and has extensive expertise with string instruments. His primary is the violin which he plays awesomely! After tuning the violas he proceeded to pull sheet music from our shelves and play excerpts on the viola. Without getting into it too much, these student violas sounded awesome in his hands!
Any instrument can sound annoying in the wrong hands or unbelievable in the right!
The viola is a sweet necessary instrument of the orchestra and as pleasant as any other when played well.
That being said ... I've have bagpipes here for sale for the right person. Perfect for disco. :D

[synergy543]

Q. Why are violins smaller than violas??
A. They are really the same size. Violinists' heads are larger.

[dpc]

Of all the string instruments the Viola's size is the least accurate or correct to it's intended frequency spectrum. The same as a small grand piano is the wrong size for the intended sound of the bass strings: hence 9 feet grand pianos for the required string length. This sort of wacked out relationship in the viola's size vrs sound gives it it's characteristic sound which seems inconsistant with the Violin and Cello's more natural sound. The Bass is not descended from the same family as the other three upper strings (hence it's different tuning) but I believe it is more consistant in it's size and sound as well.

Edit: didn't see that this was pointed out above so apologies for redundancy

[nikolas]

What dpc says...

I find that the viola has a much... darker sound. At least I love using it this way...

[danveach]

I think what's happening is that, since it is small for its range, the viola has to use thicker strings to get the low notes. If it were longer, with thinner strings, it might sound less "nasal". But then, some obviously enjoy this different sound quality. *()

[germancomponist]

I think what's happening is that, since it is small for its range, the viola has to use thicker strings to get the low notes. If it were longer, with thinner strings, it might sound less "nasal". But then, some obviously enjoy this different sound quality. *()

Hey,

when I read this I get an idea: How could a cello sound if you use thinner strings and tune it more highly ...?

Has anyone experimented?

[Craig F]

Hey,

when I read this I get an idea: How could a cello sound if you use thinner strings and tune it more highly ...?

Has anyone experimented?
How about a half size cello? The viola is one octave higher than the cello, so why not?

[germancomponist]

How about a half size cello? The viola is one octave higher than the cello, so why not?

Smile,

let us perhaps built new orchestrainstruments...., why not? ;)

Perhaps, Gary had experimented with something like this, to create sounds never heared bevore?

About thinner strings: It reminds me to Santana, who used extremly thinner strings for his guitar, and it sounded excellent.... .:)