Summer 2013 - The American Viola Society

Tone Quality
Compared to the Vidoudez, the Iida viola has a brighter tone quality and a more focused sound. The
focused sound may be attributed to an unusually large bass bar that makes contact with the sound
post. This increased pressure on the sound post could be the cause of a relatively nasal C-string
sound and an edgy surface layer in the lower register. The response from the strings is very live and
quick. The viola is loud under the ear but plays with an overall softer room projection. Texturally,
the viola exhibits a prominent, close-range presence, as if one were listening to an old vinyl record.
Its responsive quality would do well with the second movement of the Walton concerto and any
orchestral excerpts that employ the spiccato or sautillé bow strokes.
Concluding Comments
Today, the instruments are displayed as part of PIVA’s exhibit. The Vidoudez is strung with
Obligato strings, while the Iida uses Dominants. Visitors are welcome to look at them and other
materials in the collection. The violas are not loaned out for recitals or public performances;
however, they are routinely taken out of the case and played, simply to “keep them alive.” 4 Dr.
Claudine Bigelow, Professor of Viola at Brigham Young University, assigns one of her students to
take them out and to play them within the confines of the Primrose Room. Embedded in each of
these beautifully crafted instruments is a great physicality and unique tone, as well as a remarkable
history.
Bryan Lew recently completed his Bachelor of Music Degree at Brigham Young University in viola
performance under the tutelage of Professor Claudine Bigelow. For the past three years, Bryan has
worked as a library assistant at the Primrose International Viola Archive.
Notes
1
William Primrose to Maurice Riley, October 20, 1978. William Primrose Papers, MSS 7891, L.
Tom Perry Special Collections, Music Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young
University.
2 William Primrose to Yehudi Menuhin, November 24, 1975, and February 17, 1977. William
Primrose Papers, MSS 7891, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Music Special Collections, Harold
B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University.
3 William Primrose to Maurice Riley, October 20, 1978. William Primrose Papers, MSS 7891, L.
Tom Perry Special Collections, Music Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young
University.
4 David Dalton, interview with author, December 2012.
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