Viola edit
Viola (German: Bratsche, French: Alto, Esperanto: Vjolo) is one of the string instruments which is belonged to the violin family. It is also known as the instrument that was made the last in the violin family. The viola resembles the shape of the violin but has the bigger size than the violin. Its sound is also louder and heavier than the violin.[1]
In addition, viola also covers the lower range than the violin. The range it covers is located between the violin and cello and overlaps the range of both these instruments. However, even though the viola and the violin have similar shape and the playing method, it is not the violin but the cello which has the same open string notes with the viola. While the Violin is tuned G,D,A,E, the viola is tuned C,G,D,A as the cello does, but one octave higher.[2] To be precise, viola is tuned about the perfect fifth low than the violin and one octave high than the cello. Viola is known that covers from C3 to E6 and it is mostly notated on the alto clef. However, when it plays the note beyond the C5, it is usually notated on the treble clef which the violin uses for its notation.
Viola is also known as an instrument which mostly plays the part of the accompaniment rather than plays the melody or solo line since its sound is close to rich and calm but little far from sharp and striking. According to Adler, Viola has not been acknowledged as a solo instrument before 17th centuries and started to be flourished on the 19th centuries. In particular, the solo works or passages of viola, which were not found much after Berlioz, were composed by many composers such as Stravinsky in the 19th and 20th centuries.[1]
History of Viola edit
In the 16th century, The instrument, which is the predecessor of the current viola, was called 'Alto-tenor violin', not the name 'Viola.' In that age, the name Viola was not signifying viola instrument, but all string instruments.[2]
In the period of Baroque and Classicism, the viola usually worked as an instrument which fills the harmonic part because of its tone and range.[2]
In the last two decades of the 18th century, many musicians gradually realized that the viola has unique, special and beautiful tone which is enough for being a solo instrument and playing main melodies of any pieces. For instance, Haydn and Mozart regard viola as a very important instrument in the string quartet, they gave the viola an important role in their own piece. It was an unusual situation because generally, in orchestral or chamber music, they almost exclusively used to strengthen the rhythm or harmony in the entire piece. Through the change of people's perception of viola, viola gradually showed the possibility of developing as a solo instrument.[2]
In the 19th century, musicians especially some composers starts to compose a piece which the viola becomes the main instrument. Berlioz's symphony works "Harold in Italy" had a movement was given priority to with the viola solo, since then the viola solo in the role of more and more important. In addition, Willian Walton, and Béla Bartók is the most famous composers who compose a piece which focused on viola.[2]
Posture edit
Playing viola is basically the same as playing the violin. As violinist does, the violist puts the instrument on their left shoulder and place their chin or left side of cheek on the chin-rest. And as the violinist do, the violist also hold the bow on the right hand with same hand position. And as the violinist do, the violist also hold the bow on the right hand with same hand position. When they hold the bow, they hold the bow not too strong with both hand and arm. They put their thumbs near the frog and curl the wood part of the bow with other fingers except the index finger. Index finger should be placed slighter far from the rest of other fingers. However, because the size of viola and the violin is different, the violist should stretch their arm more than the violinist.[3]
Playing techniques edit
There are various playing techniques for viola. And most of the techniques available in the violin are also possible in the viola.[4]
Techniques with bow edit
The techniques which utilize the bow is founded almost every music in any era. The techniques which are related to the bowing are the most used techniques in the string instrument. The techniques which utilize the bow is founded almost every music in any era. The techniques which are related to the bowing are the most used techniques in the string instruments. Among all, techniques which are most used are détaché, legato, tenuto, portato, staccato, spiccato, martelé and tremolo. Ricochet and jété are also frequently used techniques. There are some techniques which acquire the bowing position, one is called 'Sul ponticello' and the other is called 'Sul tasto.' Sul ponticello signifies the technique that plays the bow near the bridge, the sound which is elicited from this technique is sharp and includes some noises. Sul tasto signifies the technique that plays the bow near the fingerboard, the sound that this technique makes is richer, louder and heavier compared to the sound from ordinary bowing.[5]
Techniques with hands edit
There are lots of technique which not requires the bowing. The most commonly used one is the technique of plucking strings, and most of these techniques are called pizzicato. Pizzicato sound includes both percussive noises and pitches. In addition, the pitches which can get from this technique is quite clear and accurate. There are various types of pizzicato. For its kind, there are normal pizzicato, left hand pizzicato, pizzicato secco, pizzicato tremolo, plucking glissando, quasi guitar and snap pizzicato which is also known as Bartok pizzicato. Bartok pizzicato is a technique which can get the greatest percussive sound by plucking them strongly.[5]
Extended techniques edit
Since the 20th century, many composers have begun to pay much attention to the new sounds that have not existed before. To create new sounds, composers tried to find the new techniques that could produce new sounds and succeed to develop those techniques. Composers began to call them under the name of extended techniques and it started to be utilized by the prominent modern composers such as Helmut Lachenmann, Henry Cowell, Arnold Schoenberg and the rest.[4]
An extended technique called 'tapping the body' is a technique literally tap the body of viola with hands or bow. One technique called scordatura tuning is a technique that tunes the pitch of each string different from the original tuning. 'Behind the bridge' is a technique that player bows not on the bridge but the part in the middle of the bridge and tailpiece. The technique called 'bowing on the bridge' looks similar to the 'sul ponticello.' However, it means just what it sounds like: bowing on the bridge. The sound that can get from this technique is very quiet and has no pitch. It only produces little noise. 'Bowing tailpiece' is a similar technique to the 'bowing on the bridge. Striking strings is a technique that hits the fingerboard with hand, and a scratch note(or scratch tone) signify a technique which applies excessive force on the right hand to get the very strong sound.
In addition, many techniques such as playing violas using guitar peaks instead of bows, moving bows vertically on the fingerboard are existing and are utilized now.[5]
Famous artist edit
There are lots of famous violist in history. Even though some of them worked as a violinist too, but their contribution to flourish viola art is both remarkable and amazing. Before the 20th century, many violist played the violin as well. However, many violists in the 21st century chose viola as their first instrument. It signifies that the status of viola has increased.
Niccolò Paganini edit
Niccolò Paganini(1782-1840) was one of the popular violinist and virtuoso in history. However, he is also known as a skillful violist. Although Paganini was more famous in the field of violin, but it can not deny that he is a great violist either. One of his representative pieces is also a piece for viola which is called 'Primrose Paganini for viola. 24.'
Lionel Tertis edit
Lionel Tertis(1876-1975) is both violinist and violist. He is well known for reviving the viola art in the 19th century when most people abandoned the viola art. At the age of twenty, he already popular as a great artist who has a good tone and expressiveness, and determination to the industry. Moreover, as a composer he wrote several pieces for viola.
Nobuko Imai edit
Nobuko Imai(1943-) is a Japanese violist. She graduates Julliard and Yale University and like the Zimmermann does, she won the Geneve International Music Competition. She is one of the existing violist who has great career and she is also known as a educator.
Pinchas Zukerman edit
Even though Pinchas Zukerman(1948-) is known as a violinist and conductor, but he also worked as a violist. Born in Tel Aviv, he came to the United States to study at the Julliard School of Music. He is also famous for having performance with major orchestras and Ensembles as a soloist.[6]
Tabea Zimmermann edit
Tabea Zimmermann(1966-) is a violist from Germany. She entered the Conservatory of Freiburg when she was only 13 years old. She won lots of prominent competition in world such as Geneva International Music Competition or Maurice Vieux International Viola Competition, and Budapest competition She had lots of performance with famous orchestras and conductors. She was also known for premiering 'Sonata for Solo Viola' by György Ligeti.
Repertoire edit
- Dmitri Shostakovich - Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 147
- Franz Peter Schubert - Arpeggione Sonata In A Minor, D.821, ``Arpeggione``
- George Philipp Telemann - Viola Concerto in G major (TWV 51:G9)
- Hector Berlioz - Harold in Italy, Op. 16
- Johannes Brahms - Viola Sonata No.1 in F minor, Op. 120
- Paul Hindemith - Viola Sonata Op.11, no.4
- Paul Hindemith - Der Schwanendreher
- Paul Hindemith - Sonata for viola solo Op.25 No.1
- Robert Schumann - Marchenbilder for Viola and Piano, Op.113
Viola Alta edit
Viola Alta is a musical instrument invented by a composer, violinist and violist called Hermann Ritter(1849-1926). It has the characteristics of violin, but it has a tuning system like viola. In addition, it is known that it has five strings. This instrument is produced bigger than the original viola. [7]
References edit
- ^ a b Adler, Samuel (2002). The Study of Orchestration. 978-0393975727: W.W. Norton. pp. 68–76. ISBN 978-0393975727.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b c d e Boyden, David D.; Woodward, Ann M. (2001). "Viola | Grove Music". www.oxfordmusiconline.com. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.29438. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ "How to Play the Viola - Get-Tuned.com". www.get-tuned.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- ^ a b Adler, Samuel (2002). The Study of Orchestration. New York: w.w Norton. p. 53. ISBN 978-0393600520.
- ^ a b c "The Orchestra: A User's Manual - Viola Bowing". andrewhugill.com. Retrieved 2019-02-26.
- ^ "2018-2019 Biography". Kirshbaum Associates Inc. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
- ^ Forbes, Watson (2014). "Viola alta | Grove Music". www.oxfordmusiconline.com. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.L2255821. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
External links edit
Book edit
Adler, Samuel. The Study of Orchestration. New York: W.W. Norton, 2002.
Website edit
Andrew Hugile. "The Orchestra: A User's Manual - Viola Bowing." Accessed Feb 26, 2019. http://andrewhugill.com/OrchestraManual/viola_extended.html.
Get-Tune. "How to Play the Viola - Get- Tuned.com." Accessed Feb 26, 2019. http://www.get-tuned.com/viola.php#play.
Grove Music. "Viola." Accessed Feb 26, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.29438.
Grove Music. "Viola Alta." Accessed Feb 26, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.L2255821.
Kirshbaum Associates Inc. "2018-2019 Biography｜Pinchas Zukerman." Accessed Feb 26, 2019. http://www.kirshbaumassociates.com/artist.php?id=pinchaszukerman&aview=bio.