Viola - what is it?

Alt – this is not the only kind of Opera voice, but a musical string bowed instrument. In this article we will examine both meanings of the word.

Musical instrument

Viola is a musical instrument, a type and a device similar to a violin, but differs from it large size. Because of its size the Alto sounds a lot lower than the violin.

For a Long time this tool was given a very minor role in orchestras, as it was meant to fulfill just the average of the votes that were not composers popularity.

Appearance

Like most string instruments, the viola arose in the 15-16 centuries. Soviet music theorist Struve believed that he became the ancestor of the whole string family and first joined the orchestras in the 2nd half of the 16th century. At this time, the leading place among the melodic votes held high viola. Viola was close to this instrument by its sound and size, this was one of the main reasons that he joined the orchestra in the role of the middle voice, harmoniously merging with the higher. So al became a kind of bridge between the fading glory of the viol family and the emergence of the violin instruments.

History

So, viola has long remained in the position of subordination of the voice in the orchestra. This was the reason that the musicians also showed the tool neglect. Especially playing the viola was not studied, and the orchestra in the viola was a violin-losers who couldn't really play neither that, nor another tool. It only aggravates the situation, confirmed the skeptical and condescending opinions of composers about the viola.

However, all these grievances were completely undeserved. The tool had plenty of features that needed only people who would be able to see them and not afraid to present to the public. They became étienne Maul (1763-1817), who wrote the Opera Uthal, in which the main and the highest string part was allotted to the violas.

Recommended

LP - a woman or a man, and is it important?

Those who have ever bothered to become acquainted with the works of the magic of the singer LP, was irrevocably in love with her amazing charisma, emancipation and fascinating game now popular on the ukulele tool. Her real fans have stopped to wonder...

The Song "Gibraltar-Labrador". Meanings and images

The Song "Gibraltar-Labrador" Vyacheslav Butusov became known to the General public in 1997. She became part of the sound track of the famous film by Alexei Balabanov, "Brother 2". Today it listens to the second generation of fans of Russian rock. In...

Ewan McGregor: filmography, biography actor

Audiences love films with participation of actors of the ordinary. So in the eyes of many was Ewan McGregor. His filmography includes more than sixty works, with diverse and multifaceted. Evan with equal success, delves into the images of rich and po...

In 1834, a big fan and connoisseur of underrated tool Hector Berlioz has created a Symphony called "Harold in Italy”, in which the main party went to Alta. According to legend, Berlioz hoped that at the premiere of her play Paganini, but the death of the musician prevented.

Reasons for the unpopularity

Viola (photo tool, see), standing between a violin and a cello, is more inclined to the first. In addition to similar build and style of play, these instruments there are also three community strings are perfect identical in sound. However, in the 17th and 18th centuries confirmed the view that the viola sounds nasal and sad. Why is he so different from his melodic and colorful "sisters"?

The fact that the tools are built in compliance with all rules and standards, in those years the bands were not used, as the musicians-losers wouldn't be able to play them. So violin makers were forced to adjust the instruments, the performers, who did not want to make any effort to master a new skill. Thus was born Alt-runt, which, despite its distorted sound has become popular not only with musicians, but composers. Significant in this respect that this tool was even recognized by the Paris Conservatoire.

And only in the late 19th – early 20th century real viola returned to the orchestra, finally replacing my ugly copy.

Musicians

Surprisingly, quite famous musicians such as Paganini, Alyar, vietn, Sivori, loved the quartets to perform roles of the viola and absolutely wasn't ashamed of it. And even vietna was the viola works of famous masters of Majini, on which the artist played during his concerts. And Alessandro Rolla, the teacher of Paganini, a virtuoso of this instrument, leading listeners into a frenzy.

Thus, only professional musicians could really play well on the viola and also did not put it below the other violin instruments.

Composers

Viola is an unpopular tool of the time of the birth of the orchestra, which is changing with the advent of polyphonic music of Handel and Bach. These composers have equal rights with the second violin.

However, under the influence of the Neapolitan school, the value of the tool once again begins to fall. And composers often sent him to reinforce the bass voices. Similar can be found in Haydn, Gluck and Mozart among foreign and Tchaikovsky and Glinka, among Russian composers.

The Arrival of Beethoven's music marked the heyday of the Alt. Tool finally took his rightful place, having gained two votes.

The strings of the instrument

Alt – this tool, the strings of which are tuned a fifth lower than the violin, and an octave higher than the cello. The most common range is in the range of up to small octave and e 3rd octave, but you can play higher sounds. Notes can be written in treble and Alto Clefs.

The

A Good violinist would be easy to switch to the viola. This is due to the fact that the techniques and strokes of the game these tools are the same.The only difference is the sound, it is less matte, bright and silky, even a little nasal.

Such a specific tone – the effect of the size of the tool body, which is not identical with his system. If you make an Alt, then it can't be put on the shoulder, but it will be possible to play as the cello.

The role of the performer of the solo part of the viola appears very rare. Usually this tool is part of a string or Symphony orchestra, where he plays the middle voices. Also al't necessarily part of string quartets and various chamber compositions.

At what age begin to learn to play the viola?

Childhood do not become Alta. The musicians testify that possession of this tool, you must first learn to play the violin. At the Alto the same move after graduating from music school in conservatories and schools. Normally musicians with a wide vibrato and a large physique prefer this tool.

Althorn

There is another musical instrument called the viola (photo of the instrument you see above), or althorn. It is a copper wind instrument belonging to the family of saxhorns. Sound range-from La to the big b-flat 1st octave. The sound is dull and inexpressive, so althorn is only used in brass bands, mainly regimental, band. He usually discharged average vote.

Viola: a voice

Viola is called a child's voice volume from the f minor octave f 2nd octave and low women. The voice above the tenor, which is usually the main melody. The most common notes – Sol of the small octave and e of the 2nd octave. In the choir there are two types of violas: first and second.

The First and second viola

The First volume, from La minor to f 2nd octave. Lower sounds that range sound with weak and soft, but moving to the top, they get stronger, gain strength, Shine and rage. The top two notes could be called loud and strained. The prettiest sound to sounds from the 1st to the 2nd octave. Within these limits, the violas can give various shades, from gentle piano to a bright and shiny Forte.

Also, the first Alto voice called mezzo-soprano. He gives his frosted tone melodic pattern expressiveness and melodiousness.

The Second Altos sound in the low octave and go up to f of the 1st octave. The characteristic of it - the heaviness and solidity of sound, which greatly affects the flexibility and mobility. Also, this voice is called contralto.