Name:Â Yuri Bashmet Instrument:Â Viola (Paolo Testore - 1758) Born:Â 1953 Fun Fact:Â "One of his early PR pictures had him naked in bed with nothing but his instrument to protect his modesty" - Sinfini No other violist has made the instrument quite as sexy for audiences, composers, and
The oft-cited Stradivari violins and cellos are not the only string instruments that the famous Stradivari family crafted. They made violas as well. In fact, there are currently 13 known Stradivarius violas still in existence to this day. These instruments are so rare that one even was
Romance Oubliee is the only piece written for viola and piano and does a phenomenal job of highlighting the viola's deep, vibrant tones. This is the only Liszt work for piano and viola, apart from the Harold transcription, and the broken chords
What's the Difference between the First and Last Desk of a Viola Section? Half a measure.
What do a viola and a lawsuit have in common? Everyone is happy when the case is closed.
Why Shouldn't Violists Take up Mountaineering? Because if they get lost, it takes ages before anyone notices that they're missing.
What's the Difference between a Viola and a Coffin? The coffin has the dead person on the inside.
Why Shouldn't Violists Take up Mountaineering? Neither one strikes in the same place twice.