jmc's classics
The Viola is an stringed instrument. It is always played with a bow. Not as many works are written for it as the violin or cello. On "Exploring the Music with Bill McLaughlin" this week the viola was the main subject. While I was in fifth grade I took viola lessons but did not do good. I have never been musically talented. That is unfortunate. The viola is present in string Quartets, Piano quartets and quintets.
There are some major differences between a viola and a violin. The viola is larger and has a tenor or alto sound. The violin players read their music from a treble clef while viola and trombone players read from the less familiar alto clef. A clef is a form of musical notation . The top string on the violin is an "E" while the top string on a viola is an "A". The strings on a viola are thicker than that of the violin. The violin and viola originated in the 15th century. There were several predecessors to the modern viola: The viola da braccio and the viola da gamba. The violas not had as many concerti and works written for it. Bella Bartok (1881-19450 wrote a viola concerto that was unfinished at the time of his death but was completed by Tibor Serley. Paul Hindemith (1895-1962) wrote several works for solo viola and orchestra William Walton (1902-1983) also wrote one. The most famous piece was Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and Orchestra (K.364) I have a CD of that work with Anne Sophie Mutter, Bruno Giuranna with Nevillle Marriner conducting the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. It is on the EMI label. Max Bruch wrote a concerto for Viola, Clarinet and Orchestra (Opus #88) and Eight pieces for Viola and Clarinet or Piano (Opus#83). Late in his career a trio for Viola, Cello and Piano (Opus# 114) and two sonatas for Viola or Clarinet and Piano (Opus #120). Debussy wrote a Sonata for Flute Viola and Harp (It does not have an opus number). There have also been rock and pop music for the viola. When I think of the Viola I think of that year and I don't have any good musical talents. I like the sound of the viola. I remember that experience. Viola can also be a female name such as actress Viola Davis.
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