The Viola

The viola is like the violin but bigger in size,and is the alto/tenor instrument of the violin family. Violas from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods were made in different sizes.This was determined by which part it played. If a higher part was played then a smaller instrument was used, however if a lower part was played then a bigger instrumnet was used. The c,g,d',a' tuning was the same for all the violas, This tuning is a fifth below the violin. As of today the viola still varies in size,with a length between 38-45 centimeters. This is so that the instrument can be played on the shoulder and remain as acoustically perfect as the violin.

Despite its use as a "harmonic filler" the viola could never compete with the violin in brilliance of sound. This being the case, the viola players were never specialists and were not expected to have the same level of proficiency as others. They were considered to be the beginners, or "horn players who lost their teeth".

The viola didn't have much of a place in baroque music since it wasn't included. The viola was included in the orchetral works of the late Baroque/early classical years. In this case it was used as a double to the second violins or playing the bass line an octive higher.

The violas stature improved through chamber music but mostly through the development of the string quartet. In order to play an efficent part in the chamber works, a violist needed more technical facility than their orchestral counterpart. While the composer of the Baroque and classical eras shunned the viola for it's lack of brilliance, the romanative composers loved its dark, veiled sound. A few changes of heart have occured in this century through players like: Lionel Tertis, William Primrose, and composer Paul Hindemith. The viola is now seen as an equal with the violin and cello. Because of this it has a larger solo repetoir then ever before. Despite it being shunned by many in the past it has been preferred by Bach, Mozart, and Schubert.

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