Chapter 1
The physical secrets of the middle child
Chapter 2
The science of the smoky sound
Chapter 3
The unsung hero of the orchestra
Chapter 4
Solo superstars and global stages
YOUR GOAL
Master of The smoky soul of the viola
Ch 3 · The unsung hero of the orchestra
maestro The Symphony Viola
On the center line where the Middle C will stand, I'm the only alto clef reader in the band!
maestro Many of history's greatest composers preferred playing the viola over any other instrument.
maestro In chamber music, the viola provides the critical emotional and rhythmic center.
BETA
maestro Match famous symphonic themes to discover the viola's unique role in the orchestra.
Fun Fact
Composer love: Mozart loved the viola so much that he wrote his famous Sinfonia Concertante specifically to show off the viola as an equal partner to the violin.
Glossary
viola (noun)
A bowed stringed instrument that is slightly larger than a violin and has a lower, deeper tone. Originating in sixteenth-century Italy, this instrument bridges the acoustic gap between the violin and cello.
A bowed stringed instrument that is slightly larger than a violin and has a lower, deeper tone. Originating in sixteenth-century Italy, this instrument bridges the acoustic gap between the violin and cello.
Quiz
Which famous piece by Mozart features the viola playing as an equal solo partner alongside a violin?