| The viola is part of the violin family, which evolved fro the viol, an instrument with many strings that is bowed and held across the knees. The viol was popular from the 1500's until the beginning of the Classical Era (about 1750). During the 16th Century the violin family evolved more, and overshadowed the viol. It’s possible that violas appeared before violins, because the Italian word for violin, violino, is derived from the word viola. It can’t be proven because no one is sure of who invented the viola or when. There are four members of the violin family, the violin, viola, violincello, and double bass. There have been other variations of the violin family, but they never lasted. Important viola makers were Strativari and Amati, and others have developed techniques over the years. Violas have developed along with violins over the years, but never were never as famous. At first, violas had to play the same part as basses because composers didn’t bother to write parts for them, but violas started to become a more important part of the orchestra with the opera “Orfeo” in 1607. Violas took a secondary role in the 17th and 18th centuries, even though musicians such as Mozart and Bach were both accomplised violists. It resurged with compositions like “Harold in Italy” in 1834 by French composer Hector Berlioz, and Johnannes Brahms and Hector Schumann also wrote important pieces for violas. Some 20th century pioneers are violist William Primrose, and German composer Paul Hindemith, who’s written many books on violas. Composers such as Béla Bartók, Sir William Walton, and Ernest Bloch have also helped to evolve violas. The viola has gotten more popular over the years, even though today there is usually three violins for every viola in professional orchestras. Violas today are 1-3.5 inches longer than violins, and vary more in size than violins or cellos. Other sections joke about violas, but most violists are very dedicated. |
