George Frederick McKay · section 23 of 111

The Viola

This mellow alto instrument has all the versatility of the violin, but it responds a little less quickly to demands for motion and is more subdued in tone. You cannot expect power from the

violas, but you can expect a highly attractive melodic character and much usefulness in accompanimental design. The lower and higher registers are most unusual because of the gruff, slightly hoarse, charm of the C-string, and the poignant and nasal, but poetically expressive, timbre of the high A-string.

The Suite for viola and piano by Bloch reaches deeply and originally into viola effect — be sure to hear it.