The butt of the orchestral joke....

I am a viola apologist. A purebred violist (never played violin!) myself, I’ve heard just about every joke there is about this misunderstood member of the string family. I’ve also fielded any number of questions: Do violas do more than just make the violins look good in a string quartet? Are violists actually failed violinists? Do they even have their own repertoire? Viola is easier, right?

Along with this week’s Dumbarton Concerts e-newsletter, our blog post today is devoted to the instrument preferred by Mozart (and many other composers).

Why Is the Viola the Butt of So Many Jokes? | How To Classical | WQXR

Part of How To Classical. Why does the oboe tune the orchestra? Why does the orchestra sit the way it does? What does rosin actually do to a violin bow? If you find the traditions of the classical world to be a bit confusing sometimes, then this is the place for you.