The viola is a plucked string instrument belonging to the string family; it is similar in size to the violin (slightly larger) but has a deeper tone.
Its history is long and fascinating, dating back to the Middle Ages. During this period, the viola was mainly used as a chamber instrument, to accompany the voice or to perform solo pieces.

Over the centuries, it underwent several transformations. During the Renaissance, for instance, it became larger and started being used as the main instrument in an ensemble. In the Baroque period, the viola was primarily employed to accompany the violin and cello, which served as soloists.
With the advent of the Classical era, the viola gained a more prominent role within orchestras and began to be featured in many symphonic compositions. Additionally, during this period, new models of viola were developed, such as the viola d’amore and the viola pomposa.

The viola pomposa is a variant of the traditional viola, characterized by a larger and more elaborate shape. This instrument was created during the Baroque era, when the trend was to use larger and more decorated instruments.
The viola pomposa has seven or eight strings, usually arranged in two parallel rows, and is played with a bow. Its tone is slightly deeper than the traditional viola but less so than the cello. While it was widely used to accompany the violin and cello during the Baroque period, it never became very popular and is now considered a rare and little-known instrument.

The viola d’amore, on the other hand, is similar to the traditional viola but has a slimmer and elongated shape and a greater number of strings; it has seven strings, each with a “sympathetic string” running parallel that is not touched by the bow. These sympathetic strings vibrate in response to the played strings, creating a richer and more harmonious tone. The viola d’amore is a very rare and little-known instrument but is still played by some specialized musicians.

Today, the viola is one of the most important instruments in the string family and is used in many musical genres, from classical to jazz. It is a highly versatile instrument and requires great skill and technique to be played effectively; like all other string instruments, it lacks frets on the neck, requiring the musician to press the strings precisely in the correct position to produce an in-tune note.
In summary, the viola is a musical instrument with a long and fascinating history that, centuries after its creation, continues to be a protagonist in modern music.

How the Viola Is Made

The viola is composed of several elements that work together to create its characteristic sound.
The frame, or body of the instrument, is made of wood and may be coated with a varnish or oil finish. The neck is attached to the frame and ends in a scroll where the tuning pegs are located, which adjust the tension of the strings. These strings pass over a wooden bridge and are anchored at the bottom of the body to a wooden tailpiece. The musician rests their chin on the chinrest, a small rubber or plastic surface located at the lower end of the viola.

The strings are made of various materials, such as metal (the most common), gut, or nylon, and produce characteristic tones as a result.

The bow is a wooden or (rarely) carbon fiber tool used to play the strings of the viola. It consists of a central part called the “stick” and two ends, called “tips,” which keep a tensioned set of horsehair or synthetic fibers.

The soundbox is the part of the viola’s frame that amplifies the sound of the strings. It features two “f-holes,” or f-shaped openings, that help project the sound with greater volume.
The most commonly used woods for making a viola are spruce, poplar, cherry, and maple. Each wood has unique characteristics that affect the instrument’s tone and longevity.
Spruce is lightweight and durable, with a clear and bright voice; poplar is soft and delicate, with a darker and rounder tone than spruce. Cherry is a hard and resilient wood that produces a dark and warm voice. Maple is also hard and resilient but gives the instrument a bright and luminous tone.

The Most Famous Viola Players in History

There are many famous viola players and composers who have left their mark on music history. Here are some examples:

• Antonio Vivaldi, another great Baroque composer, is best known for The Four Seasons. His most famous works for viola include the Concerto for Viola d’Amore, the Concerto for Viola and Strings in D Minor, and the Concerto for Viola and Strings in G Minor.
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most famous classical composers of all time, wrote numerous works for this instrument, including the Concerto for Viola and Strings in G Major and the Concerto for Viola and Strings in E-flat Major.
• Henri Vieuxtemps was part of the Romantic composer circle, contributing unforgettable pages for the viola, such as the three Concertos for Viola and Strings in D Minor, E Minor, and A Minor.
• William Walton, a British 20th-century composer, is known for his significant contributions to viola music. His Concerto for Viola and Strings is considered one of the most important pieces ever written for viola.

The Viola in Modern Music

Though primarily associated with classical and chamber music, the viola has been used in many other musical genres. However, in recent years, it has been less prominent in modern music compared to instruments like the violin or cello.
Despite this, many musicians continue to play the viola and have achieved international fame. For example, British violist and composer Matthew Barley has built a career by blending the viola with genres such as jazz, rock, and folk music.

The viola is also featured in many other styles of music, such as contemporary, avant-garde, electronic, and folk. One alternative use of the instrument can be seen with the Finnish symphonic metal group Apocalyptica, founded in 1993. The group is known for playing the viola in extreme ways and performing metal tracks with it. While primarily composed of four cellists, some members occasionally play the viola.

Apocalyptica is famous for covering tracks by Metallica and other similar bands but has also composed original songs for cello and viola. Their unique musical style has helped introduce the viola to a broader and more diverse audience.