The Viola

The viola’s sonorous tones call to mind—in the hands of the right composer—melted chocolate, a rich shade of purple, or a supplicant at prayer. Following hundreds of years when it was never given the limelight, the 20th century saw the emergence of a wealth of exciting new works for this beautiful instrument, once considered the “poor relation” of the string family. We’ve gathered the best of them here, along with our favorite pieces and arrangements from earlier eras and a contemporary surprise or two. Enjoy exploring what the “Cinderella of the orchestra” has to offer. Many of the great composers, from Mozart and Beethoven to Hindemith and Britten, were fine exponents of the viola.