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Historical
outline of individual instruments
Strings
Viola
Early History and
the 17th century
- By 1535, the viola
became a standard member of the violin family. The violin family
included three instruments eventually known as the violin, viola,
and cello.
- The alto-tenor instrument
of the violin family (or viola) was known by a number of names during
its early history. Around 1500, the term “viola” generally
referred to a number of bowed string instruments. Before 1550, the
term “viola” could have meant a Renaissance fiddle as
well. During the 17th and 18th century, other terms combined with
“viola” to indicate specific instruments of different
registers, such as the soprano de viola da braccio (violin) or viola
da gamba (a member of the viol family).
- Violas varied in size,
due in part to the functions they served in string ensembles. Violas
filled in the middle range of the texture, covering the alto and
tenor parts. As such, multiple violas were often included in early
string ensembles. During the 16th and 17th centuries, ensembles
with four instruments may have included two violas. During the 17th
century, a five-part ensemble may have included as many as three
violas.
18th century
- During the 18th century,
the viola was known as the viola di brazzo.
- The making of violas
declined during the 18th century as demand for violas decreased.
Performers already had available to them a number of violas in various
sizes. The typical string ensemble changed during the 18th century.
For instance, four-part string ensembles began to feature two violin
parts, which meant one part for viola and one part for cello and/or
bass.
- Before 1740, violists
and viola repertoire had not received much attention.
- After 1740, the viola
enjoyed a revival of interest and musical growth, especially in
chamber music and growing solo repertoire.
- In Beethoven’s
works, violas were sometimes given melodic material, but the second
violins doubled their parts, as seen in Symphony No.9 in the slow
(third) movement.
- With the development
of the modern Tourte bow (c.1785), playing technique advanced for
all string instruments, including viola.
19th century
- During the 19th century,
composers such as Berlioz, Tchaikovsly, and Brahms explored the
viola’s potential in orchestral repertory.
- Around 1800, the viola
underwent structural changes to allow for increased string tension
and power. Some alterations included: a longer neck, a longer and
heavier bass-bar, heavier strings, and a slightly higher bridge.
- During the 19th and
20th centuries, instrument-makers followed these new specifications,
and older instruments were altered to meet these specifications.
- Also during the 19th
century, instrument-makers experimented with the instrument’s
acoustic properties, which resulted in unusual instruments “lop-sided”
in shape (e.g. the left side of the instrument larger than the right
side).
- Berlioz wrote Harold
en Italie (1834), which highlights the viola. Originally, Paganini
commissioned Berlioz to write a viola concerto to feature his Stradivari
viola. However, Paganini later declined to perform this piece, claiming
that the viola was not prominent enough.
20th century
- Starting in 1937, Loinel
Tertis (violist) collaborated with Arthur Richardson (instrument-maker)
to make further improvements on the viola. Their goal was to create
an instrument with a full tone but still physically manageable for
the player. The result was the “Tertis” model, and this
was first heard in concert in 1939.
- Experimentation continued
into the 20th century to create ergonomic instruments.
- Modern violas vary
in size, and the body length typically varies between 41 and 43
cm.
- Viola technique differs
somewhat from violin technique due to its bigger size. For instance,
the instrument is held slightly lower; violists use more half-position
playing; the left-hand is expanded more; vibrato is somewhat wider;
violists apply more energy with bowing and use a slightly heavier
and shorter bow.
- Even as late as 1900,
violists in orchestras were considered “second-class”
instrumentalists.
- However, technical demands
on violists greatly increased during the 20th century, seen especially
in chamber music.
- A few outstanding performers,
such as Lionel Tertis, William Primrose, and Paul Hindemith improved
the status of viola playing and the quality of repertoire written
for the viola.
Orchestra-History
Early
History • Classical
period • Romantic
period • 20th
century to present
Repertoire
Classical
period • Romantic period
• 20th century to present
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