Why I love playing the viola - by Clio Tilton
The viola is a wonderful instrument that is unfortunately somewhat under-appreciated. However, there are many reasons to love it’s rich, dark sounds and unique voice in the string instrument family.
The viola is a cousin of the violin, very similar in how it is played but a bit bigger, and with one string five notes lower than the violin, the C string. The viola has the same strings as the cello, but one octave higher. In chamber music and orchestral music, the viola’s role is often to be the glue between the melody and harmony. It’s really fun to be in right in the middle of where the music making happens.
I chose to play the viola as my very first string instrument when I was nine. I reasoned that it was a good fit because while it has the rich dark sounds of the cello, it’s a lot easier to carry!
Many years later, I still relish the exquisite sounds of the viola and the middle voice role that I get to play in string quartets and orchestras. The viola is a beautiful solo instrument as well, as you can hear in the recordings linked below - these are some of my favorite pieces for the viola.
The viola is a cousin of the violin, very similar in how it is played but a bit bigger, and with one string five notes lower than the violin, the C string. The viola has the same strings as the cello, but one octave higher. In chamber music and orchestral music, the viola’s role is often to be the glue between the melody and harmony. It’s really fun to be in right in the middle of where the music making happens.
I chose to play the viola as my very first string instrument when I was nine. I reasoned that it was a good fit because while it has the rich dark sounds of the cello, it’s a lot easier to carry!
Many years later, I still relish the exquisite sounds of the viola and the middle voice role that I get to play in string quartets and orchestras. The viola is a beautiful solo instrument as well, as you can hear in the recordings linked below - these are some of my favorite pieces for the viola.
- I love playing the music of JS Bach, both on violin and viola. On the viola we play all six of his suites for solo cello, and in this recording you can hear what the C major Prelude sounds like on a $45 million instrument!
- As I mentioned before, the viola is often overlooked, not as often in the spotlight as the violin. I love to play violin, too, but it’s very exciting to share the unique timber and colors of the viola with audiences as well. I recently recorded some solos for the viola written for me by my friends and colleagues in San Francisco. Here is a very short piece by Matthias McIntyre that showcases the many kinds of sounds that a viola can make- high and low, sparkly and deep.
I also love to play the violin, especially when I get to play fiddle music and Bach. But the viola is my first love and will always have a special place in my heart.
Clio Tilton studied at Oberlin and Juilliard, plays regularly as a substitute with the San Francisco Symphony and is a Resident Teaching Artist in viola at the Alameda String Academy.
Clio Tilton studied at Oberlin and Juilliard, plays regularly as a substitute with the San Francisco Symphony and is a Resident Teaching Artist in viola at the Alameda String Academy.
