I decided (after 8+ years) to clear a few little things up! a) I never imagined a little talk about the viola would travel so far! Thank you! And that people would actually use minutes of their lives to write how much they love the viola! Or hate the viola! That part I will never understand. Go be positive and practice your violins...b) For those concerned about the use of the word “song,” there are songs in this talk. The first is from Brahms opus 91, entitled “Two SONGS for alto voice, viola and piano” The piece by Kurtag is called “Wailing SONG.” The Liszt Romance Oubliee is taken after the song “O pourqoui donc.” Anyway (controversial statement) perhaps we in classical music don’t need to care quite so much about titles 🤭 c) Beethoven didn’t write any original solo piece for viola. I know the Eyeglasses Duo exists. Sorry I didn’t specify! d) I also (really) wish they had turned my speaking mic off when I played. 😱
YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION! I absolutely fell in love with the viola when I first heard it as well. I originally wanted to play the violin, and I was fortunate enough to find a master tutor of all stringed instruments and over 50 years of professional experience, an immigrant from russia who devoted her entire life to stringed instruments to teach me, someone of fairly low income, just because she believed in how passionately I wanted to learn. The only exception she made in being willing to teach me is that I could NOT play the violin. I was starting in my mid 20s you see and she had told me that the path of the violin would leave me feeling regret and a lack of satisfaction. She said that violin, as extremely competitive as it is, is full of cutthroats and negativity. A constant world of "never being good enough" and that if she was to teach me music, it would only be in a world where she believed I could truly express myself and play with honesty. I didnt understand at first. But she began to play for me on first the cello, then the violin. And lastly the viola. The sound of her playing (and yours) absolutely broke my heart. The sheer level of DEPTH and PASSION resonating from this particular instrument is absolutely unmatched. It is so in tune with the human voice and instantly spoke directly to my soul. I have never looked back. I struggle with my progress, the viola is incredibly difficult to play, and I'm a full time scientist and student, so I'm only able to play once or twice a week. But seeing what you do. How you absolutely pour everything you are into your movements and the vibrations you produce. How they echo throughout that stage. It absolutely rejuvenates me and reignites my passion to become better. I absolutely long to become a violist as skilled as you one day. 💙 Thank you so much for sharing this
IF, and I'm really being speculative... some materials scientist were to invent a "string" that resonated more, at shorter lengths, would the Viola be better, the same, worse or would the strings simply never be used? I'm fairly certain that such a creation could happen, but it hasn''t, because the violin doesn't need such a thing, and the Cello couldn't use it. Presently the Viola resonates best at frequencies between the open strings, which only means it would sound better if tuned to different notes. That's no surprise, but the surprise is that the Viola beats the violin at resonance in several ranges, so with a better type of string, it could easily outshine the smaller, less powerful, instrument. Only the Viola needs a shorter, more resonant string. Anyway, there are places where the Viola cannot be replaced, and it's marvelous that Viola Players are so tolerant of the ignorance of others. {Why did the Viola sit out in the yard for so long? It couldn't figure out when to come in. }
There's a teacher who said that the viola wasn't meant to be heard, but felt. If there's violas in an orchestra, you barely care, but without them, the orchestra just feels incomplete in every sense. Finding that sound is really special, it changes the mood of the rest of strings.
I remember, in orchestra when I was in sixth grade, and out director asked which instrument we wanted to play, I was the only student in a class of twenty five children who said I wanted to play the viola. Everyone wanted to play the violin, but I didn't want that next to my ear, and my father played the viola as well. I came from the flute (I remember my band director said I had an unusual confidence when it came to my playing) so I was the odd man out in my orchestra as it was (especially since I was the only student to not go to middle school band). But although the Viola doesn't get much love, and anyone not in orchestra usually doesn't know what it is, I still love my instrument. I've had my own viola for about five years now, and I love it. Mine specifically is unique from every other instrument in our school orchestra - it's the only one without fine tuners, and it's funny to watch the teachers and directors go to tune it, because they always forget and always stumble as they wipe their hand down the tail-piece. I love the viola, because it had a richness to it that the violin lacks, and it's not as serious as the cello or bass. I an hide in the shadows, but at the same time, I get to be the one to tell people what the viola is, and how orchestras would sound empty without them, because we usually back up the first violins. Once, our piece had three viola solos, and I was so angry when I found out that our cellist tried to take them. We never get solos, and he gets them not only all the time, but earlier in that specific piece. People think that violists are pushovers, because a good amount of the time we're 'go with the flow' kind of people, but we're the most stubborn, and have the biggest hearts.
Achingly Obsessed 😭😭YAAASS SPEAK THE TRUTH. I remember when i was in the 4th grade i was given the option to play the violin or viola. When i read on that lityle brochure about the rich and smoothness of the viola, i knew it was for me. To me the violin was always to high pitched and squeaky. Where as the viola sounds nice and smooth. Sure playing thw viola has its down sides but i wouldn't dare change to another instrument. I also like the viola because its unique. You always here "oh, ive always wanted to play the violin" or "oh, "violins are perfect". Violas are not mentioned very often but thats why i like it. Violas are different and not the same.
This is so true. I play the viola because I filled out the wrong form but honestly it was best mistake of my life. The opportunities are endless because us violists are rare and that’s just an incredible thing which we get for being the imperfect ones
My son started Orchestra in 5th grade. When it was time to choose his instrument, he chose the viola. When asked why, he said everyone wants to play the violin. Not everyone wants to play the viola. He wanted to play the least favorite of all in the group. He is a Junior in HS and is still playing Viola and in one of the highest classes in his school. We live in a big city, his teacher is one of the best in the district. A lot of her students have gone on to Juilliard and many are playing in professional orchestras. What a proud moment for a HS teacher!
@@eddm3382 Jennifer Stumm is a concert violist and professor of viola at the University of Music and Arts of the City of Vienna. Definitely not a violinist.
@@eddm3382 She Won the Primrose international viola competition. She studied VIOLA with Karen Tuttle and Nobuko Imai, she is definitely a violist. Please… be careful with what you say…
Sin duda AMA a su instrumento y es una de sus mayores promotoras y ejecutantes geniales de la viola en la actualidad y quedará como una referente en la Historia del instrumento
My viola siloloquy: The violin is like a high school or college student: full of fire, show, and ego...but not much emotional depth. The viola is the blue singer. Her voice has been destroyed by cheap booze and cigarettes. She's loved and been betrayed several times but still gets up to sing. When she sings happily, it is tinged with sadness because you know it won't last. When she sings of sadness, it cuts deeply for you know it comes from personal loss. That's the viola to me.
I play violin viola and cello. They all have a different aspect of beauty to them. They are unique on their own and they can all be great. I switch between all three of them from time to time and I can tell how differences makes them express different emotions with not that big of a physical difference. Its almost poetic how variety in life can cause greatness in colors and aspects.
I am also a viola player ,a student, really feel your passionate about viola ,and gave me a lot inspiration. feels like other'perfect' instrument is kinda convey the composer's emotion ,but viola ,is a individual person,and communicating with the composer and help to sharing their story. Amazing
I play the viola and it is so beautiful, my orchestra teacher (LOVE HER) assigned the viola's the melody for 4 pieces. I was overwhelmed at first with feeling like I would fail because everyone else was to be quiet while the viola showed it's stuff. But as I practiced and played everyday for hours I realized how beautiful it would be if viola could have more melodies! We played and though my hands were sweaty I had pride over the songs I'd rehearsed over and over with my friends at my side! I love viola in all of its voice cracks awkwardness but that's what makes it special. The audience cheered for us, the viola's, the amazing and wonderful thing that is orchestra!!!!😄😄😄😄
I wish I could let Jennifer know that her performance has been an aspect of my current D&D character. I adore the Viola and especially the eerie sounds it produces when out of its comfort zone.
I saw Jennifer perform at Carnegie Hall this past week (3/14/17), her tone is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I love this notion of finding beauty in imperfection. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese phrase that loosely translates to this. I love thinking of the viola (and most humans) as wabi-sabi. This is well worth your ~10 minutes.
My (viola) teacher sent me this video for me to watch as we often talk about what an incredible instrument we're blessed to play. Also we just decided the next piece for me to study - Romance Oubliée. What a gorgeous interpretation, @jenniferstumm, and thank you for sharing your thoughts about our (imperfect) instrument so beautifully articulated.
When you said in French " Romance Oubliee " (Forgotten Romance) , I felt I would cry ! I love the Viola. I do not play well ! So, I am always trying to move the Sound Post. The Humidity on my Island may also be a factor for helping the imperfections !
Please do not move the sound post. Leave it where it is. Get some Desiccant. Put it in your case. It will remove the humidity. www.amazon.com/Packets-Desiccant-Reusable-Moisture-Absorber/dp/B00J0JDOC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479617844&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=desiccant&psc=1
I agree im really tired of them making fun of the violist even google hates it whenever i search it up it justs says it an incorrection and changes it to violin ....
or the fact that she doesn't know much about the viola and you can see her extensive knowledge when she uses a violin bow and not a viola bow. I'm a violist btw. almost all viola bows are not 90˙ at the frog.
Bravo!!! Thank you so much for telling the world the truth about this beautiful instrument. As a violist I salute you and because of you I will continue to play this emotional instrument.
I was violinist, no the best but no bad violinist... I'd know the viola in de Orchestra, but when I eared a violist playing Brux's Romanza, I still quiet, my skin was as chicken skin and feeling a lump in one's throat. I worked to buy a viola, and was faulty, hadn't the soul. 3 years was kept and later a luthier composed it... my viola have a beautiful tune, I love her... violin is not to me my love, viola is that I love... really unloved with my viola
a TEDtalk about the viola?? i thought i’d never see the day! (in all seriousness though thank you so much for this, i really needed motivation to practice for auditions and i think this did the trick)
May I thank you from the bottom of my heart: your love for the viola genuinely touched me deeply! You are a true ambassador for this unique, lovable and somethimes moody instrument! 👍😊
I wrote a small piece of the orchestra in high school. Some of the violist complained I wrote a section for them that carried a melody theme instead of boring accompaniment, that he (and a few others) chose Viola because it generally get's the "easier" harmonic accompaniment. They played it anyway and eventually seemed to really like it, personally think they kind of liked getting a little attention.... they were just nervous with the extra attention of our orchestra teacher. I learned a lot too... like difference between slurring and not putting slurs... since I had at that time never played a string instrument, learned how down bow and up bow works, and that you can take advantage of that sound, as well as ways to write to eliminate up and down bow to sound more lyrical or wind like.
Try Bach's cello suites on the viola - absolutely beautiful. In fact, I think that it was Perlman who said that he thought that Bach really had the viola in mind when he composed the suites. Check out Lillian Fuchs playing all the suites on the viola.
Corwin Sharp I think they say both Bach and Mozart played viola in chamber ensembles, though they were perfectly capable of playing violin. To be in the middle of the voicing.
TEDx Talks The Vertical Viola works around this issue by having a 20 inch body but it's also big enough that you can play it vertically like a Cello which relieves weight off the Shoulder but it also allows the sound to project towards the walls.
I adore the viola for it's human, yet wooden tone that can bring it from comforting warm tones, like a log cabin in the winter with a fire in the fireplace, to fearful screams and growls and shrieks, to an emotional punch in the chest of it's human song, yet wooden tones. It conveys such emotion, and you can hear that the instrument seems to put it's own emotion and words into the piece, giving it some extra punch. I used to play viola (I still have mine, though it's only a beginner viola), and I can attest to it's finnicky nature and delayed singing, but that's what makes it fun. It's repertoire is much smaller, and seemingly easier than a violin's, but a viola needs more technique, emotion, and intention to be played well.
Viola has a wonderful sound, and I think that musicians or viola lovers "with the exception of you, my lady" bear a large part of people not knowing about this great instrument because they do not talk much about it and for this reason only few know about it and its splendor.
In folk music they say make the tune your own. I think the same applies to the instrument you play, and, wow, you have certainly done that. Thank you, from a magnanimous fiddle player.
i play the viola because i felt that the violin was overrated. i almost played the cello until i realized i didn't want to have to sit there, i wanted to be able to move around more, making the viola perfect for my needs. also because jake the dog from adventure time plays the viola
I love how inspirational her story is, like she heard it and knew it was for her. Not gonna lie, I filled out the wrong form and ended up with the viola but I mean, mistakes happen for a reason!😂
No joke I play the viola because I wanted to learn to play "He's a pirate" which my orchestra teacher played for my class when he told us about learning instruments in 5th grade
The Hutchins Alto Violin aka Upright Viola is a exception because the body is big enough for those low notes but it's also big enough that you can hold it like a Cello. This was way before those larger Violas have been revived & also their playing position was reoriented to being vertical.
wish they had better mics but the voila is a very beautiful and overlooked instrument. i for one have played it since i was in 4th grade and continue playing now at 10th.
I play the viola because the violin is too squeaky and the cello is too deep (and honestly too difficult for me to play). I LOVE playing the viola especially because it can do most things a violin can up high and have the versitility of the beautiful sound of the cello down low.
Great talk. What a great selection of pieces! The Liszt, where did you get that arrangement- is it yours? Beautiful. Same thing happened to me, BTW. I heard a great Violist when I was 12, never had even played the violin. I was hypnotized. I'm retiring as a Symphony Musician next year.
Don't really understand where this supposed imperfection of the viola is coming from. It's its own instrument with its own characteristics and distinct timbre. Most if not all of its flaws have already been worked over since the time of Tertis. Beautiful speech and playing anyhow.
Because the Viola Strings are slightly longer than the Violin (and also heavier gauged) maybe they're correct. The body of the instrument would have to be slightly longer for it to work better
I started the viola at 6 because I was too small for the smallest cello, I would never turn back, cello is fun, violin is familiar but honestly just weird, I love the viola, I wouldn't swap, after 14 years I'd stay with the viola, why, because it's better to me that the other options, most would disagree but it taught me everything I know about music and I wouldn't know how to see other pitches without it, lower or higher, I want my viola
Nicholas Towns that probably means you need a new string. That tends to happen once the string is older and begins to loosen/stretch too much. It's called a false string.
No musical instrument is imperfect. The viola makes a unique sound...I have always found the sound to be hunting and unique. A mix between a cello and a violin.
Have you tried the odd-looking but (to my ears at least) rich sounding Rivinus Pellegrina? Or does it lose something for you because it does try to deal with some of the response issues as well as being more ergonomic? (The ergonomics are likely a plus in anyone's book, I just mean the sound.)
Rivinus' violas scare away the traditionalists ;) it really is too bad though, I've played on a 5 string version many times in the past and it's awesome.
Classical musicians are too conservative for my taste. I mean we're not still using Baroque era instruments (outside of Historically Informed Performance), because the more modern ones are easier to play and in many cases iron out quirks that made them difficult to write for. I pretty much see the Rivinus Pellegrina as an entirely justifiable evolution, and that it gains far more than it loses in its redesign - particularly the five string as you mentioned. We don't still play hand-stopped natural horns unless that's what a piece was written for, because the inconsistency in tone is generally not a desirable quality. In cases where it is, the composer has to know exactly what he is doing. Standard viola quirks are nowhere near as hard to work around, but still, why put yourself through that if you don't have to? I think once the patent expires and other luthiers start experimenting with it, the design may see more uptake. Right now there just isn't the capacity to flood the world with the design, but I can't see it being much harder for a computer and a CNC mill to build an asymmetric design than it is to build a symmetric one, and of course that's how nearly all low-end instruments are made. I don't think "melted violas" will ever take over and displace standard ones, but I think they can get popular enough that people stop asking what they are and just listen. It may take decades though.
I decided (after 8+ years) to clear a few little things up! a) I never imagined a little talk about the viola would travel so far! Thank you! And that people would actually use minutes of their lives to write how much they love the viola! Or hate the viola! That part I will never understand. Go be positive and practice your violins...b) For those concerned about the use of the word “song,” there are songs in this talk. The first is from Brahms opus 91, entitled “Two SONGS for alto voice, viola and piano” The piece by Kurtag is called “Wailing SONG.” The Liszt Romance Oubliee is taken after the song “O pourqoui donc.” Anyway (controversial statement) perhaps we in classical music don’t need to care quite so much about titles 🤭 c) Beethoven didn’t write any original solo piece for viola. I know the Eyeglasses Duo exists. Sorry I didn’t specify! d) I also (really) wish they had turned my speaking mic off when I played. 😱
🧡
Thanks for this talk! Very beautiful and well put.
YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION! I absolutely fell in love with the viola when I first heard it as well.
I originally wanted to play the violin, and I was fortunate enough to find a master tutor of all stringed instruments and over 50 years of professional experience, an immigrant from russia who devoted her entire life to stringed instruments to teach me, someone of fairly low income, just because she believed in how passionately I wanted to learn. The only exception she made in being willing to teach me is that I could NOT play the violin. I was starting in my mid 20s you see and she had told me that the path of the violin would leave me feeling regret and a lack of satisfaction. She said that violin, as extremely competitive as it is, is full of cutthroats and negativity. A constant world of "never being good enough" and that if she was to teach me music, it would only be in a world where she believed I could truly express myself and play with honesty.
I didnt understand at first. But she began to play for me on first the cello, then the violin. And lastly the viola.
The sound of her playing (and yours) absolutely broke my heart.
The sheer level of DEPTH and PASSION resonating from this particular instrument is absolutely unmatched. It is so in tune with the human voice and instantly spoke directly to my soul.
I have never looked back.
I struggle with my progress, the viola is incredibly difficult to play, and I'm a full time scientist and student, so I'm only able to play once or twice a week.
But seeing what you do. How you absolutely pour everything you are into your movements and the vibrations you produce. How they echo throughout that stage. It absolutely rejuvenates me and reignites my passion to become better.
I absolutely long to become a violist as skilled as you one day. 💙
Thank you so much for sharing this
IF, and I'm really being speculative... some materials scientist were to invent a "string" that resonated more, at shorter lengths, would the Viola be better, the same, worse or would the strings simply never be used? I'm fairly certain that such a creation could happen, but it hasn''t, because the violin doesn't need such a thing, and the Cello couldn't use it. Presently the Viola resonates best at frequencies between the open strings, which only means it would sound better if tuned to different notes. That's no surprise, but the surprise is that the Viola beats the violin at resonance in several ranges, so with a better type of string, it could easily outshine the smaller, less powerful, instrument. Only the Viola needs a shorter, more resonant string. Anyway, there are places where the Viola cannot be replaced, and it's marvelous that Viola Players are so tolerant of the ignorance of others. {Why did the Viola sit out in the yard for so long? It couldn't figure out when to come in. }
I think beethoven wrote a nocturne for viola and piano;)
There's a teacher who said that the viola wasn't meant to be heard, but felt. If there's violas in an orchestra, you barely care, but without them, the orchestra just feels incomplete in every sense. Finding that sound is really special, it changes the mood of the rest of strings.
I remember, in orchestra when I was in sixth grade, and out director asked which instrument we wanted to play, I was the only student in a class of twenty five children who said I wanted to play the viola. Everyone wanted to play the violin, but I didn't want that next to my ear, and my father played the viola as well. I came from the flute (I remember my band director said I had an unusual confidence when it came to my playing) so I was the odd man out in my orchestra as it was (especially since I was the only student to not go to middle school band). But although the Viola doesn't get much love, and anyone not in orchestra usually doesn't know what it is, I still love my instrument. I've had my own viola for about five years now, and I love it. Mine specifically is unique from every other instrument in our school orchestra - it's the only one without fine tuners, and it's funny to watch the teachers and directors go to tune it, because they always forget and always stumble as they wipe their hand down the tail-piece.
I love the viola, because it had a richness to it that the violin lacks, and it's not as serious as the cello or bass. I an hide in the shadows, but at the same time, I get to be the one to tell people what the viola is, and how orchestras would sound empty without them, because we usually back up the first violins.
Once, our piece had three viola solos, and I was so angry when I found out that our cellist tried to take them. We never get solos, and he gets them not only all the time, but earlier in that specific piece. People think that violists are pushovers, because a good amount of the time we're 'go with the flow' kind of people, but we're the most stubborn, and have the biggest hearts.
Achingly Obsessed 😭😭YAAASS SPEAK THE TRUTH. I remember when i was in the 4th grade i was given the option to play the violin or viola. When i read on that lityle brochure about the rich and smoothness of the viola, i knew it was for me. To me the violin was always to high pitched and squeaky. Where as the viola sounds nice and smooth. Sure playing thw viola has its down sides but i wouldn't dare change to another instrument. I also like the viola because its unique. You always here "oh, ive always wanted to play the violin" or "oh, "violins are perfect". Violas are not mentioned very often but thats why i like it. Violas are different and not the same.
This is so true. I play the viola because I filled out the wrong form but honestly it was best mistake of my life. The opportunities are endless because us violists are rare and that’s just an incredible thing which we get for being the imperfect ones
I also went from the flute to the viola - and never looked back!
My son started Orchestra in 5th grade. When it was time to choose his instrument, he chose the viola. When asked why, he said everyone wants to play the violin. Not everyone wants to play the viola. He wanted to play the least favorite of all in the group. He is a Junior in HS and is still playing Viola and in one of the highest classes in his school. We live in a big city, his teacher is one of the best in the district. A lot of her students have gone on to Juilliard and many are playing in professional orchestras. What a proud moment for a HS teacher!
Same!
Off the beaten path! It's a great place to be
No one is gonna talk about her interpretation? ✨🎶 She's an incredible violist ❤️
For sure she is a violinist playing a Viola 😄😄😄😄😄
@@eddm3382 Jennifer Stumm is a concert violist and professor of viola at the University of Music and Arts of the City of Vienna. Definitely not a violinist.
@@eddm3382 She Won the Primrose international viola competition. She studied VIOLA with Karen Tuttle and Nobuko Imai, she is definitely a violist.
Please… be careful with what you say…
Excellent musicianship, she possesses!!
Sin duda AMA a su instrumento y es una de sus mayores promotoras y ejecutantes geniales de la viola en la actualidad y quedará como una referente en la Historia del instrumento
Every reason I play the viola is in this video! I show this to everyone to show people what musical beauty is in this instrument.
My viola siloloquy:
The violin is like a high school or college student: full of fire, show, and ego...but not much emotional depth.
The viola is the blue singer. Her voice has been destroyed by cheap booze and cigarettes. She's loved and been betrayed several times but still gets up to sing. When she sings happily, it is tinged with sadness because you know it won't last. When she sings of sadness, it cuts deeply for you know it comes from personal loss. That's the viola to me.
tl098711 Not much emotional depth? Dude you can praise viola without trashing in the violin.
This is beautiful!
tl098711 wow I love the comparison
Great soliloquy
Sure, the upper reaches of the viola choke, but the upper range of the violin squeals this metallic shriek.
Thank you for sticking and standing up for the Viola and Violist. You were beautiful.
I play violin viola and cello.
They all have a different aspect of beauty to them. They are unique on their own and they can all be great. I switch between all three of them from time to time and I can tell how differences makes them express different emotions with not that big of a physical difference. Its almost poetic how variety in life can cause greatness in colors and aspects.
I am also a viola player ,a student, really feel your passionate about viola ,and gave me a lot inspiration. feels like other'perfect' instrument is kinda convey the composer's emotion ,but viola ,is a individual person,and communicating with the composer and help to sharing their story. Amazing
I play the viola and it is so beautiful, my orchestra teacher (LOVE HER) assigned the viola's the melody for 4 pieces. I was overwhelmed at first with feeling like I would fail because everyone else was to be quiet while the viola showed it's stuff. But as I practiced and played everyday for hours I realized how beautiful it would be if viola could have more melodies! We played and though my hands were sweaty I had pride over the songs I'd rehearsed over and over with my friends at my side! I love viola in all of its voice cracks awkwardness but that's what makes it special. The audience cheered for us, the viola's, the amazing and wonderful thing that is orchestra!!!!😄😄😄😄
I wish I could let Jennifer know that her performance has been an aspect of my current D&D character. I adore the Viola and especially the eerie sounds it produces when out of its comfort zone.
Pilot Vehdrehl Thank you!!! I’m honored
I saw Jennifer perform at Carnegie Hall this past week (3/14/17), her tone is heart-wrenchingly beautiful. I love this notion of finding beauty in imperfection. Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese phrase that loosely translates to this. I love thinking of the viola (and most humans) as wabi-sabi. This is well worth your ~10 minutes.
I've never heard a more beautifully played viola! ❤️
You are a viola virtuoso.
Bravo! 🌹🌷🌹🌷
I saw this when I was younger and having dounts about pursuing the viola and this is the reason why I found my passion. Thank you!
Good 4 u sweetheart😁😁😁😁😁😁 you chose an instrument that you can express the way u feel😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
My (viola) teacher sent me this video for me to watch as we often talk about what an incredible instrument we're blessed to play. Also we just decided the next piece for me to study - Romance Oubliée. What a gorgeous interpretation, @jenniferstumm, and thank you for sharing your thoughts about our (imperfect) instrument so beautifully articulated.
When you said in French " Romance Oubliee " (Forgotten Romance) , I felt I would cry !
I love the Viola. I do not play well ! So, I am always trying to move the Sound Post. The Humidity on my Island may also be a factor for helping the imperfections !
Please do not move the sound post. Leave it where it is. Get some Desiccant. Put it in your case. It will remove the humidity.
www.amazon.com/Packets-Desiccant-Reusable-Moisture-Absorber/dp/B00J0JDOC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479617844&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=desiccant&psc=1
Michael Hill Thank you, Michael. I will buy some as per your advice. Thanks again.
I play the viola too, and your choice of words resonated deeply with me. Thank you for sharing this. :)
Agreed!
Those dislikes are the violinists who are afraid of the truth.
I agree im really tired of them making fun of the violist even google hates it whenever i search it up it justs says it an incorrection and changes it to violin ....
or the fact that she doesn't know much about the viola and you can see her extensive knowledge when she uses a violin bow and not a viola bow. I'm a violist btw. almost all viola bows are not 90˙ at the frog.
@@MariaHernandez-ty7ww wow... mean...
@@itsyaboiped3651 wow, you know alot. i also play the viola. and, everyone stop it with making fun of the viola! its an amazing insterment! =>=
@@k_posadce_Samm it'd an amazing instrument,viola jokes are just entertaiment
Bravo!!! Thank you so much for telling the world the truth about this beautiful instrument. As a violist I salute you and because of you I will continue to play this emotional instrument.
I was violinist, no the best but no bad violinist... I'd know the viola in de Orchestra, but when I eared a violist playing Brux's Romanza, I still quiet, my skin was as chicken skin and feeling a lump in one's throat.
I worked to buy a viola, and was faulty, hadn't the soul. 3 years was kept and later a luthier composed it... my viola have a beautiful tune, I love her... violin is not to me my love, viola is that I love... really unloved with my viola
PowerOf One did you mean Bruch, when you said Brux?
If so... It is also my favourite piece for the viola.
PS: am a violinist:)
Abiezer Violist guy I
PowerOf One I would have, had I understood it
Bruch’s romanze is such a great piece to play
It has a depth and richness all its own. Brava ! Bravissima!
Violas sound Beautiful and relaxing. They're surreal
Viola gang?
Viola gang!
Viola gang!
Viola gang (:
cello gang!
Double Bass gang!
I play the viola, (as I'm writing this, Viola just got autocorrected to violin,) this makes me so happy to hear someone talk about the Viola🥹
I want twoset to react to this
Yes yes
YES!
Yes!
11 anos depois, ainda me emociono ao ver este vídeo. Bravo Profa Stumm😊😊😊
Nicely presented and good job . "Beauty can be in imperfection".
a TEDtalk about the viola?? i thought i’d never see the day! (in all seriousness though thank you so much for this, i really needed motivation to practice for auditions and i think this did the trick)
May I thank you from the bottom of my heart: your love for the viola genuinely touched me deeply! You are a true ambassador for this unique, lovable and somethimes moody instrument! 👍😊
I wrote a small piece of the orchestra in high school. Some of the violist complained I wrote a section for them that carried a melody theme instead of boring accompaniment, that he (and a few others) chose Viola because it generally get's the "easier" harmonic accompaniment.
They played it anyway and eventually seemed to really like it, personally think they kind of liked getting a little attention.... they were just nervous with the extra attention of our orchestra teacher.
I learned a lot too... like difference between slurring and not putting slurs... since I had at that time never played a string instrument, learned how down bow and up bow works, and that you can take advantage of that sound, as well as ways to write to eliminate up and down bow to sound more lyrical or wind like.
Try Bach's cello suites on the viola - absolutely beautiful. In fact, I think that it was Perlman who said that he thought that Bach really had the viola in mind when he composed the suites. Check out Lillian Fuchs playing all the suites on the viola.
Corwin Sharp I think they say both Bach and Mozart played viola in chamber ensembles, though they were perfectly capable of playing violin. To be in the middle of the voicing.
I play the viola and I LOVE IT!
the viola sound is HORRIBLY recorded... but really good, anyways
I thought it was just my ears lmao
Yeah, the person in charge of recording should consider another day/night job.
It’s so warbly. I think they tried to add reverb to an instrument that doesn’t naturally produce very much.
Amazing talent and dedication. You're an inspiration. Thank you for doing what you do!
I play the viola too...and she is a genius!!!❤
TEDx Talks
The Vertical Viola works around this issue by having a 20 inch body but it's also big enough that you can play it vertically like a Cello which relieves weight off the Shoulder but it also allows the sound to project towards the walls.
Magic!!
Your playing has "soul", and it speaks to the heart..
I adore the viola for it's human, yet wooden tone that can bring it from comforting warm tones, like a log cabin in the winter with a fire in the fireplace, to fearful screams and growls and shrieks, to an emotional punch in the chest of it's human song, yet wooden tones.
It conveys such emotion, and you can hear that the instrument seems to put it's own emotion and words into the piece, giving it some extra punch.
I used to play viola (I still have mine, though it's only a beginner viola), and I can attest to it's finnicky nature and delayed singing, but that's what makes it fun. It's repertoire is much smaller, and seemingly easier than a violin's, but a viola needs more technique, emotion, and intention to be played well.
Thanks so much. You've opened these old ears. Beautifull.
Viola has a wonderful sound, and I think that musicians or viola lovers "with the exception of you, my lady" bear a large part of people not knowing about this great instrument because they do not talk much about it and for this reason only few know about it and its splendor.
OMG I NEEDED THIS I PLAY THE VIOLA THANK YOU SO MUCH
When she played Liszt, I was stunned.
In folk music they say make the tune your own. I think the same applies to the instrument you play, and, wow, you have certainly done that. Thank you, from a magnanimous fiddle player.
Viola e o seu som com um acento suave, recolhido e melancólico, se o seu som tivesse sabor seria o do mais tenro chocolate ♥️🎻
I LOVED your Music!! You play Beautifully!! Thank you!
Loved your great speech too. :)
Thank you.
i play the viola because i felt that the violin was overrated. i almost played the cello until i realized i didn't want to have to sit there, i wanted to be able to move around more, making the viola perfect for my needs. also because jake the dog from adventure time plays the viola
i played the viola cuz the violin always sounded shrill to me.
Agreed man, that’s my thinking!
I love how inspirational her story is, like she heard it and knew it was for her. Not gonna lie, I filled out the wrong form and ended up with the viola but I mean, mistakes happen for a reason!😂
I went to the store to buy a violin with my mom as a 6th grader. They ran out of violins. I wasn't going home empty handed so i got a viola lol.
to be fair, Beethoven used to have to play viola professionally, if I remember correctly, to support his family.
Not just Beethoven. Mozart, Schubert and Dvorak all played viola.
So, for that matter, did Hindemith.
Martin Stillion that's kinda messed up.
Beethoven’s Viola is still in existence
Yep he did it for some coin
Thank you
No joke I play the viola because I wanted to learn to play "He's a pirate" which my orchestra teacher played for my class when he told us about learning instruments in 5th grade
Amazing words and amazing playing Jennifer. Brava!!!
Really interesting. Started learning to play a year ago. Would love to sound like this!
Thank you!
I did not expect it to sound as good as it did when she played it all the way down the c string
Ugh I wish I could vibrato
Keijana Y Said every teenage string player ever.
Same here
Can you do it now? I play and it took me about 6 months to fully get it once I was actually decent
@@shaunakellyyy9270 It's been a year, I'm assuming yes if they've continued to play
You’ll learn!
The Hutchins Alto Violin aka Upright Viola is a exception because the body is big enough for those low notes but it's also big enough that you can hold it like a Cello. This was way before those larger Violas have been revived & also their playing position was reoriented to being vertical.
wish they had better mics but the voila is a very beautiful and overlooked instrument. i for one have played it since i was in 4th grade and continue playing now at 10th.
Thank you for sharing and promoting the viola. I own a 20" viola - actually an Alto Violin/Vertical Viola - which I guess makes it less imperfect.
PROUDLY A VIOLA PLAYER HERE. WOOOOO
viola do meu coração ❤❤❤
I play the viola because the violin is too squeaky and the cello is too deep (and honestly too difficult for me to play). I LOVE playing the viola especially because it can do most things a violin can up high and have the versitility of the beautiful sound of the cello down low.
I Love The Viola.
I really agree her. Sometimes I play the viola but always feel that I'm in confusion,
about finger reach, slice of pitch and timing.
Wonderful what a talent ! What a great sound ❤️
Muito grato.
Aw I loved this!
This makes me proud to play viola
I have a newfound respect for the viola
Just beautiful. I greatly respect her. Everything that she said about the viola is true
The Emperor of Japan plays the viola, he switched from the violin as he didn't want to be so prominent.
Great talk. What a great selection of pieces! The Liszt, where did you get that arrangement- is it yours? Beautiful. Same thing happened to me, BTW. I heard a great Violist when I was 12, never had even played the violin. I was hypnotized. I'm retiring as a Symphony Musician next year.
Good for you. Enjoy your retirement. Keep practicing (just in case).
All this time I thought I wanted to play violin. But no ... It was this beautiful, mellow, watercourse viola....
ITS NOT A SONG ITS A PEICE.
BESIDES, A SONG HAS WORDS
Actually, it's from the two songs by Brahms opus 91 for viola and mezzo soprano.
yay for Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Alum!
Bravissimo ❤
Beethoven: Duet with 2 Obligato Eyeglasses for Viola and Cello
Don't really understand where this supposed imperfection of the viola is coming from. It's its own instrument with its own characteristics and distinct timbre. Most if not all of its flaws have already been worked over since the time of Tertis. Beautiful speech and playing anyhow.
Este vídeo me ajudou a decidir pela aquisição de uma viola. Espero agora aprender. Conseguir tirar algum som. Tocar alguma música.
Team Viola! 🎻🎻🎻
Beethoven did write a beautiful piece for solo viola and cello!
this was beautiful
Forgot one flaw: this hell of a C-clef...
Us violists think your clef is troublesome too
Get over yourself, friend. Middle is C where we all know it damn well belongs... in the middle.
Bassists have to deal with the alto clef too on occasion...
Tyler Rodriguez Ha ha yes when I started viola that was how I knew where all the notes were.
Olivier DALET C Clef I find easier than treble clef. And I'm a violist who used to be a violinist... 🤷🏽♀️
Very cool talk. Kind of would be interested in someone explaining the science behind the instrument more, but definitely enjoyed the performance!
Nice sounding viola.
Because the Viola Strings are slightly longer than the Violin (and also heavier gauged) maybe they're correct. The body of the instrument would have to be slightly longer for it to work better
Dear Jennifer Stumm. For your information Beethoven did write a piece for viola and piano Nocturne op.42. I am loking forward to hear you playing it
jytte jytte I hate that piece with a passion. Also it’s incredibly rare to see that piece and it likely wasn’t written for viola originally
I much prefer the Viola over the violin. A much richer deeper sound then the violin. My oldest daughter is a violist.
Not getting an applause after playing never sounded so impressive as here... Great!
I started the viola at 6 because I was too small for the smallest cello, I would never turn back, cello is fun, violin is familiar but honestly just weird, I love the viola, I wouldn't swap, after 14 years I'd stay with the viola, why, because it's better to me that the other options, most would disagree but it taught me everything I know about music and I wouldn't know how to see other pitches without it, lower or higher, I want my viola
Ah! Integrity, harmony, radiance equals the raison d'etre for being human.
When I bow the c string too hard it low key goes sharp by 20 cents
Nicholas Towns That's almost enoughh to buy a pack of gum.
Reality thank you so much for that comment it made my day haha
Nicholas Towns that probably means you need a new string. That tends to happen once the string is older and begins to loosen/stretch too much. It's called a false string.
That's not unusual; it's the same on wind instruments, where pitch responds to dynamics.
thats for any string
VIOLAS UNITE
No musical instrument is imperfect. The viola makes a unique sound...I have always found the sound to be hunting and unique. A mix between a cello and a violin.
The viola is the Thanos of instruments. It is perfectly balanced.
I play viola and violin, and I cant read a note I play by ear. 💓🎻.
Me too!!
“Imperfect” is a bit of an understatement
Viola is the bass guitar of classical music
That would be the double bass
Wonderful sounding viola......who made it?
Have you tried the odd-looking but (to my ears at least) rich sounding Rivinus Pellegrina? Or does it lose something for you because it does try to deal with some of the response issues as well as being more ergonomic? (The ergonomics are likely a plus in anyone's book, I just mean the sound.)
Rivinus' violas scare away the traditionalists ;) it really is too bad though, I've played on a 5 string version many times in the past and it's awesome.
Classical musicians are too conservative for my taste. I mean we're not still using Baroque era instruments (outside of Historically Informed Performance), because the more modern ones are easier to play and in many cases iron out quirks that made them difficult to write for. I pretty much see the Rivinus Pellegrina as an entirely justifiable evolution, and that it gains far more than it loses in its redesign - particularly the five string as you mentioned.
We don't still play hand-stopped natural horns unless that's what a piece was written for, because the inconsistency in tone is generally not a desirable quality. In cases where it is, the composer has to know exactly what he is doing. Standard viola quirks are nowhere near as hard to work around, but still, why put yourself through that if you don't have to?
I think once the patent expires and other luthiers start experimenting with it, the design may see more uptake. Right now there just isn't the capacity to flood the world with the design, but I can't see it being much harder for a computer and a CNC mill to build an asymmetric design than it is to build a symmetric one, and of course that's how nearly all low-end instruments are made. I don't think "melted violas" will ever take over and displace standard ones, but I think they can get popular enough that people stop asking what they are and just listen. It may take decades though.