Viola

:For other uses of the word, see Viola (disambiguation).

Violists

Violas and violists are often the target of the musical equivalent of the blonde joke. This is probably the result of the mostly obsolete practice in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century orchestras of demoting to the viola section violinists who lose their playing ability as a result of age or lack of practice.

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Among the great composers, several preferred the viola to the violin when playing in ensembles, including J. S. Bach, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven.

Related Topics:
J. S. Bach - Joseph Haydn - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Ludwig van Beethoven

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There are very few real viola virtuosi, likely owing to the shortage of music featuring the instrument. Among the better known violists, from earlier in the twentieth century are Lionel Tertis, Paul Hindemith, William Primrose, Joseph de Pasquale, Walter Trampler, and from more recently, Yuri Bashmet, Kim Kashkashian, Garth Knox, Jerzy Kosmala, Roberto Diaz, Tabea Zimmermann, Nobuko Imai, Rivka Golani, Roland Glassl, Cathy Basrak, Paul Neubauer, Pemi Paull, and Antoine Tamestit.

Related Topics:
Lionel Tertis - Paul Hindemith - William Primrose - Joseph de Pasquale - Walter Trampler - Yuri Bashmet - Kim Kashkashian - Garth Knox - Jerzy Kosmala - Roberto Diaz - Tabea Zimmermann - Nobuko Imai - Rivka Golani - Roland Glassl - Cathy Basrak - Paul Neubauer - Pemi Paull - Antoine Tamestit

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The term violist is not universally used in English; some players, generally British, prefer viola player.

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