Viola is a string instrument that has a similar device with a violin. However, it is slightly larger, which is why its sound has a lower case. Viola strings are tuned in a special way. They are lower than the violin by a fifth, while above the cello by an octave. Notes for viola are written in treble and alto keys.
History of occurrence
The alt instrument is considered the earliest of the existing stringed ones. The time of its occurrence is attributed to the XV ― XVI centuries. This tool was the first to get the usual form for today. It was designed by Antonio Stradivari. The viola for the hand is considered to be the ancestor of the viola. This tool was held near the left shoulder. It should be noted that the closest relative - viola and gamba was kept on his knee. The Italian name for a musical instrument was reduced to viola over time. In this form, it is preserved in English. In German and similar to him fell Bratsche. An alt instrument is measured in millimeters. There are specimens from 350 to 425 mm. The choice of size depends on the length of the hands of the artist. From the violin row, it was the viola that came closest to the viols, given the size and sound. Therefore, he quickly appeared in the orchestra as a middle voice, he joined the symphony very harmoniously. Viola, thus, was a bridge between the endangered genus of viols and violin instruments, which at that time were emerging.
Game technique
Alt is a musical instrument that requires a special
technique. Playing it is different from the one inherent in the violin. The difference lies in the method of sound extraction. The technique of the game is more limited due to the large size and the need for significant stretching of the fingers. The timbre of the alto is opaque, thick, less bright, when compared with the violin, velvety in the lower case, in the upper one - somewhat nasal. The dimensions of the body of the musical instrument do not correspond to the system. This is what forms the unusual timbre. With a length of 46 to 47 centimeters, the instrument has a length of 38 - 43 cm. On violas with large sizes that are close to the classical ones, mainly solo performers play. They have strong hands, as well as developed equipment. As a solo instrument, viola is used relatively rarely. The point here is a small repertoire. However, many good altists have appeared relatively recently, such as: Yuri Kramarov, Kim Kashkashyan,
Yuri Bashmet. The main scope of this musical instrument remains string and symphony orchestras. Here solo episodes as well as middle voices are dedicated to viola. This musical instrument is an obligatory participant in a string quartet. It can be used in other chamber compositions. For example, a piano quintet or quartet or string trio. Traditionally, they did not become violists from childhood, but switched to this instrument in a relatively mature age. As a rule, after graduating from a music school, at the time of admission to the conservatory or school. Most often, violinists with a large physique, wide vibration and big arms go to viola. Some great musicians combined two instruments. For example, David Oistrakh and Niccolo Paganini.
Famous musicians
The viola instrument was chosen by Yuri Abramovich Bashmet. Among other famous musicians who preferred our hero, it should be noted that Vladimir Romanovich Bakaleinikov, Rudolf Borisovich Barshai, Igor Isaakovich Boguslavsky, Vadim Vasilyevich Borisovsky, Fyodor Serafimovich Druzhinin, Yuri Markovich Kramarov, Turtis Lionel, Korim Paish Hindemith, Tabea Zimmerman, Dmitry Vissarionovich Shebalin, William Primrose, Mikhail Benediktovich Kugel.
Artworks
The viola and orchestra instrument is featured in the “Concert Symphony” by V. A. Mozart, “Sonata” by Niccolo Paganini, as well as by G. Berlioz, B. Bartok, Hindemith, William Walton, E. Denisov, A. Schnittke, G. F. Telemann, A.I. Golovin. A combination with clavier is found in M.I. Glinka, D.D. Shostakovich, Brahms, Schumann, Nikolai Roslavets, A. Hovaness. Solo can be heard in the works of Max Reger, Moses Weinberg, Ernst Kshenek, Sebastian Bach, Paul Hindemith. Adolf Adan’s ballet Giselle was not without our hero. It sounds in the symphonic poem of Richard Strauss "Don Quixote." Leo Delibes ballet “Coppelia” could not do without him. You should also recall the opera "Remedy Makropoulos" Janacek. It also sounds in the ballet of Boris Asafiev "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai."
Different principle
There is a fundamentally different alt -
wind instrument. It is commonly called althorn. This is a copper musical instrument. It belongs to the saxhorn family. Range - A - es 2. Due to the inexpressive and lackluster sound, the scope of use is limited only to brass bands. There, as a rule, middle voices are assigned to him.