My new viola sounds like this. It's a 1690 model but has the exact same construction as an Amati. I barely touch my violin anymore because my viola's sound has balls in comparison to this violin of mine. The viola in general is a ballsy instrument because only ballsy people can play it. And like Primrose said (no offense violinists), "A Viola is a violin with a college education".
@msg06769 I think it's partially because they sometimes speed up the tapes when they convert them. I found out the hard way when I was listening to Primrose's recording of Der Schwanendreher, which wasn't just abnormally fast, but a half step higher than it should have been...
@Leirbag999sad really now? i don't think so... take a look at what other comments you've made...alol u don't sounds 53...and it is a viola... i know.. b/c i too play have played one before..violins don't go that low anyway
@Leirbag999sad dude are you dumb? dont you see the size of the instrument? and how do you now that he isnt playing a viola ? i think you are saying that without knowing
Is he really moving that fast, or was this video sped up?
I find it funny that people are fighting over whether it sounds better on a violin or a viola... It sounds pretty much the same to me, except that the viola just sounds lower. It all depends on the musician!!!
@evilshadowlover117 This was the prime of his life, he was definitely playing that fast. Some people nowadays actually play it faster.
People must remember that it's in a different key on the viola, as it is transposed. And not all that many people play it on the viola nearly as well as Primrose.
@MusicCloud1 I know I may be wrong, but just watching the way he moves, it looks sped up and unnatural... or even the way his head moves at 1:03
and i already know the difference between a violin and viola since i play in my school orchestra. i was just saying that it sounds pretty similar on either instrument...
This is alright, i agree with Paradise737, but it's not an inferior instrument. Soon though, there will be more viola players than violinists because they'll all have learnt about the low population of viola players.... but good viola players will be hard to find ; )
@DevilViolinist it's pretty hard to physically play a decent sized viola so that will always be the first limit. Prize of decent violas is also hard, because few people make them well for reasonable prices (violins are easier to find in quality). Dearth of good starting level viola teachers may be another obstacle. Just some ideas about hinderances (which in the end fortify violist character haha)
@jonboy700 Exactly! He's played it waayy too fast! 3 minutes... that's more than twice as fast as most other versions! He leaves no room for the emotions and clearness (it does sound very... flat and emotionless). In my opinion, Perlman's version has just the right pace. Heifetz's interpretation remains the best version, though, in every area. Although some parts are played faster (but that seems to be his trademark), one can still hear and feel the emotions very clearly.
It's absolutely sad, that half the comments on the video are about violin vs. viola, and no one even cares about the great perfomance. Btw, it WAS played a 5th lower right? o.0
Viola is tuned a 5th lower than violin. Yes it is played a 5th lower. If it were played as written on a viola...uh, well impossible with out an E string.
Well, you can't quite say "impossible" The 6th cello suite was written for an instrument with 5 strings, but is well played by many cellists with the cello that has 4 strings.
I think the viola is harder to learn because its larger and the distances between the notes are further. Being an old viola chauvinist, I also think the viola is BETTER... :)
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Are you playing violin or viola ? if you didn't know , i must tell you that , LARGER = easy , same for cello and bass. , violin > cello , bass , viola ( difficulty i mean)
Are you kidding me? I play the violin and cello at a pretty high level and bass at somewhat a mediocre level and I can tell you that your logic is flawed. Violin is probably the hardest to 100% master because of perfect intonation which is due to its VERY SMALL gap ( I heard only one violinist was able to truly achieve) but otherwise cello and bass is much more difficult because of thumb position, necessary muscles, and the gap that makes intonation incredibly difficult at high register.
I played violin and viola professionally for many years. I played a small viola and it was still harder than violin. A friend plays both wonderfully in tune with great agility, it's certainly possible but there is a reason most show pieces were written for violin. Today almost no one plays in tune. If you want to hear fabulous intonation, listen to the slew of great violinists born in the 1800s. Start with Kreisler, Sarasate, Ysaye, Prihoda, Kubelik and work from there.
Yeah, the half steps are smaller, but that makes it easier in many respects. On larger violas it is hard for me to reach octaves whereas it is a cinch on smaller violas and violins. Another issue that makes the viola harder is the body of the instrument is longer and getting the arm around the upper bouts to play in higher positions can be a challenge. Also, half steps get smaller on viola as well, not just the violin. Trust me, I play both, whereas you never mentioned any experience on a viola.
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It takes an extreme amount of skill to play pagannini let alone playing it on a viola and playing it at the tempo he is taking, but pagannini has no business being on the Viola.
Why do you say that Pagannini has no business on the viola? It may not be as strong a solo instrument as you believe it should be, but all the same the technical proficiency that it is approached with is on a higher caliber than most people ever hope to play. Violinists who switch over to viola to get a job or work are something that should never be on the viola!! Leave it to those of us who love it, not use it for an opportunity cause we weren't good enough!
You're retarded. Primrose and Tertis were the ones that made the viola what it is today. Because of performances like this, composers went crazy writing new chamber and concertante pieces for the viola. Without Primrose we wouldn't have the Bartok viola concerto- which violinists LEARN to play the viola just to perform that piece. Without Tertis' transcriptions we wouldn't have the Walton Viola concerto. Stop being arrogant-- no one cares you play violin... everyone does.
Apparently you all think I hate viola, but actually I love them. The Walton concerto and Bartok is awsome, but I still think pagannini shouldn't be on viola. So instead of misunderstanding and thinking I don't like primrose, read my first comment and see that I adored the amount of skill the performer had.
Funny, I never thought your comment was a criticism. I agree that Paganini is not right on some instruments - for example, the cello. Paganini's genius was pretty much limited to being a VIOLIN virtuoso - his technical prowess was built on an instrument with certain distances between the notes, and the particulars of the violin. His music doesnt always translate well to other instruments.
Fella play dat fat fiddle reel good but he hold it kinda funny like....pappy tell me to hold closer to the waste...dont leev a mark on the neck dat way.
Semplicemente spettacolare... Violino e viola sono senza dubbio due strumenti differenti ma,in mano a valenti musicisti, non possono essere messi su diversi piani! Ed io credo che questo video ne sia la dimostrazione..
Why do I have to be such a jerk about it? Because you seem to have a generic opinion about people playing violin pieces on viola, regardless on how good the interpretation was. However, forgive me if the wording wasn´t nice. You are entitled to your opinion as much as I am.
Like I said, it's not that I don't like it. In fact this is one of my favorite pieces. It's just that I would prefer to here a piece that really uses the viola's c and g strings to get that deep rich sound that the viola is capable of making. I apologize as well for biting your head off when I read your comment. You are right; we are both entitled to our own opinions and I respect yours as you respect mine. =-)
All four strings one the viola have a unique sound different than that of the violin. The viola's larger body gives the instrument a richer, fuller sound that should be taken advantage of at all ranges of the instrument.
Unfortunately, the disadvantage is that violas have not as good response time in comparison to violins, which can be a challenge for pieces like this.
That is why they make viola strings where you can choose light, medium, or heavy gauge. Light are quicker to respond and heavy are slower to respond but do so with a better dark, warm viola sound. They didn't have that luxury back then, which is why Primrose is AMAZING.
oh sure thing np. sometimes people make a big deal for touching the viola's name since its unpopular already. i mean when people see my viola they say "cool violin" you kno. plus people on youtube will take you to court especially if u make not good comment about primrose or heifetz. especially heifetz, they take him more as a god than a human. lol dont get in anymore trouble. bye
Hey! HEIFETZ IS A GOD! ZOMG LOLZ. :P Haha, yeah I know that feeling about the "cool violin" thing...but it doesn't help that I play both. It really is a shame, too; the viola is such a beautiful instrument. It can do much more than is usually written for it, I think. Go viola!
If you want to hear viola pieces, then don't come to a video where a violist is playing music written for violin, and then act offended by the fact that they arent using their instrument how you want them to. Search for videos where violists are playing viola music.
cant we all just get along? he is one of the best viola players born (apart from me) and he played this wonderfully. just agree to disagree. goodness.
Legallybrunette: Do you have anything else to say, or is that the only comment you have learned for when you feel to post something on a viola video? Because you seem to be making the same remark everywhere.
I play violin and viola. The violin has a G string for a reason. Does that mean I should only play on the G string? It also has an E string. Does that mean I should only play on the E string? I don't understand what your point is, it has four strings so you can use all four of them.
all i'm saying is that the c string is what makes the viola (and cello) different from violins. violins have an e string and that's what separates them from the rest of the orchestra (besides the bass) and the e string is what makes the violin have a higher sound, while the viola (with a c string) is lower because of the c string. do you have to be such a jerk about it? why are you looking for my comments on viola videos anyway? can i say my opinion without getting a bunch of crap from you?
well, i liked it. but violas have a c string for a reason and most of the piece was played on the a and d string. it was still really good though. i don't think i could ever say that i don't like one of the great paganini's pieces
Thank you for this wonderful concert. I didn't think the viola could be light enough to play Paganini well but I was wrong. I wouldn't try it but it is a treat to see Primrose do it. The film shows real action and he is a master.
How is it that in an argument between violists and violinists, it was the violist who was actually able to articulate herself and bring something useful to a thread? I don't know... I think I get dumber every day I play viola, but at least I'm not half the asshole that the violin made me. :D Primrose is pretty rad... too bad the sound quality is so shabby.
hey i thought this was somwhere to talk about the player and the piece played. I think it sounds good. I'm a Violist and cant wait to find a copy of this piece arranged for viola and get stuck into learning it. "If you dont have somthing nice to say dont say it."
God damn i hate you people who compare which instrument is harder
And especially for those who says Violin is easy....seriously....why dont' you actually learn it and see how difficult it gets especially when you learn double stop scales that go up to 2 or 3 octaves?
you'll be pulling your hair out even trying to get it in tune!
Viola and Violin have in my opinion have the exact same difficulty level
i've been playing violin for 8 years and i just recently picked up the viola to play. Once you know violin the transition isn't hard if you can read the key signiture since you play everything in 3rd position and the fingers are just stretched a bit more.
And that caprice wasn't originally written for viola so of coures it's gonna be harder. It's the same thing if you try playing the walton concerto on the violin....
well no duh, most pieces played in the orchestra are by composers who wasn't as familiar with the viola. And besides, the viola is labeled more as the "harmony" rather than the "melody" violin. I switched over to viola over the summer and i am first chair but that doesn't mean the instrument is easy. The songs are much, MUCH simpler.
and unless you can play viola, you can't say it's easier because viola requires a bigger hand, and if you don't have that you're screwed.
no no u misunderstand:] what im saying mainly is that the violas in my orch suck... it was a kinda off the wall point to make... but ive attempted playing a viola... and i didnt suck:] at all... the fundamentals are nearly identical... but i do agree with the point that composers were unfamiliar with the viola... there seriously gyped when it comes to music... the're so versatile... they have the power and the deep resonating tone of the cello, but also a high range similar to that of a violin..
The technique for viola is similar but not exactly the same to the violin. The viola's response is so much slower than violin, so bowing, fingering, and tone have to be learned differently than you would on violin.Plus, the violin vibrato does not acoustically go well with the viola. To sum up what I'm saying, neither instrument is harder than the other, it's just that there's different types of effort that need to be put into either instrument.
Yes. The viola is bigger (there's more room for sound to travel) and requires thicker strings/heavier bow. With this setup, the instrument takes more time to play cleaner, smoother passages (the viola is slower than violin; the key is proper anticipation). Bigger hands will not always be the answer. It depends on the viola/alert player. If you once played violin, widen (slow) your vibrato, and remember that the bow needs more applied forces for cleanliness.
also this piece was rewritten specifically for viola... you cant say its harder on the viola... the difficulty should be the same roughly... seeing as how everything thing is shifted a 5th downward for the viola...
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ya same here lol im a first violinist could make the other violists in my orchestra look like shit. not being a snobby first violinist im just saying. once you play all of the demanding ass violin repetoire its not hard to play viola. still primrose is fuckin badass
yeah, thanks for your kind words to all the viloists out there... you probably only played the violin because you didn't care what you played and wanted to play what everyone else played btw: if violins weren't so popular (and didn't screw up the string orchestra) violas would have been next in line and why are you even watching this anyways?
im watching it cuz i appreciate all music... and i misclicked:] (srsly it was an accident)
violins screw up the string orchestra??? tell me this... without the violins could you HAVE a string orchestra? however it must be noted that we'd be fine without the violas... in fact ive played in quartets without violas... 2nds and cellos cover their part... i have no problem with violas, i respect them
and i play the violn bcuz i thought that it was a beautiful instrument the very first time i heard it
You're the first primarily violinist I've heard say that. Most violinists I know are (not to offend) used to the ease of how much less movement is required for shifting, or even hitting the 5th above the string, as well as less trouble with vibrato (for the same reasons), and less trouble with getting the full sound out of the note (with 3 or 4 part chords it's hard to get this on a viola IMO), since the strings are thinner, and most have a synthetic core.
in my opinion, gettinig full sounds out of both instruments are equal. Also, you can't exactly say shifting on violin is easier because shifting is all muscle memory. If you learned Viola first then shifting on violin would be harder and vice versa. The vibrato on Viola is good as it allows you to widen your vibrato and not sound like you're getting electrocuted when playing the violin. The chords are mostly your bowing and a little bit of it is the instrument but overall it's the same.
vaust... I agree with you 2000%, most of my violin colleagues say the same thing. Jaesango, not all violas are of equal size/quality. Violins are acoustically perfect for there sizes (confirmed fact), but violas have to be physically ridiculously large to own up to that "full" sound you mentioned. With thus said, executing technique is not as easy for one as it is for the opther. Technique for violin can be applied to viola, but the application in music can be very different.
i have to disagree on this because getting a full sound on viola compared to violin is much harder. this is because to get a full sound out of a viola rather then a violin require much more perfection in posture and bowing technique because of the larger size. Also, shifting on a violin is much than on a viola. Sure it is muscle memory, it doesnt....
change the fact that the larger size is alot more cumbersome. making a shift into 3rd on viola slower than on a violin. about the vibrato, violin vibrato require a much smaller distance to gain the full range of vibrato nessesary on a viola require a very wide finger motion. and chords i can say are similar though they still require perfect bowing on both violin and viola its just much more noticeable in sound if a violist doesnt have perfect bowing. I'm not sure if you play viola or....
eeeehh pefer violin , i like the high pitchness
TheProjectblah 1 month ago
Паганини эту кашу не писал...Можешь показать вертуозность играй соло и как написано вариации а не какую то х.....ю
yayasha1 1 month ago
I actually amused by the pianist's face in 1:28 - 1:32 lol
EflatViola 4 months ago 2
I hope you all realize this version has been edited to play faster.....
Violist2015 4 months ago 3
lol i love how after the pizz variation he's ALREADY playing the 8va variation. Is that possible without edting? Maybe for primrose.
mrofirguy 7 months ago
@mrofirguy 2:15 for those curious. Hmmmmmmmmm
mrofirguy 7 months ago
I love Paganini.
WolverineChipmunk 8 months ago
It sounds much better when played on viola.
calebcoker 9 months ago 7
It sounds much better when played on violin.
centavraalfa 10 months ago
@centavraalfa you shit head
frooben 10 months ago
@frooben is not that it sounds better on the violin but that this song feels like if he was in a hurry and began to cut parts
rebirthofgodrics907 10 months ago
My new viola sounds like this. It's a 1690 model but has the exact same construction as an Amati. I barely touch my violin anymore because my viola's sound has balls in comparison to this violin of mine. The viola in general is a ballsy instrument because only ballsy people can play it. And like Primrose said (no offense violinists), "A Viola is a violin with a college education".
ThePoliticalMusician 10 months ago 14
gooooooooooooooooooooood
BloodyroseVamp 10 months ago
OMG WHERE DO I GET THE MUSICCCCCC.
angelaamilivojevicc 1 year ago
there is a lot of tritons
omercanbakkalci 1 year ago
Look for the Schubert Litany here. What a sound, beautiful vibrato, and expression! No cookie cutter music making here.
voirinbob 1 year ago
Please, it's Mr. Primrose!
voirinbob 1 year ago
Quite fast!
richardmakarovprice 1 year ago
buffff the besth. Thanks Master!!
Pacorrrr 1 year ago
Dat due can play
andysay 1 year ago
why is it so faster then heifetz's?
msg06769 1 year ago
@msg06769 I think it's partially because they sometimes speed up the tapes when they convert them. I found out the hard way when I was listening to Primrose's recording of Der Schwanendreher, which wasn't just abnormally fast, but a half step higher than it should have been...
Farnik01 1 year ago
Stay tune for another 70 years of crap :)
TheMrMightyMe 1 year ago
@funsizedasian98 suck my A S S
Leirbag999sad 1 year ago
O melhor de todos os tempos.
sandronorato1 1 year ago
Its fast but still my favorite version that ive heard...
lcrysta 1 year ago
the best instrument of the world
viola :D
Musicalaga 1 year ago 5
@Musicalaga
hell yeah!
ander2365 1 year ago 2
Man, i'm a teacher, violist since i was 8 now, i'm 56. My experience allows me to decide if sth sound as viola or not.
Leirbag999sad 1 year ago
@Leirbag999sad really now? i don't think so... take a look at what other comments you've made...alol u don't sounds 53...and it is a viola... i know.. b/c i too play have played one before..violins don't go that low anyway
bethdacool 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
If people are interested, I made a recording of this caprice myself too. Tell me what you think of my playing. Thanks a lot!
Just click on my username, to go to My channel.
1classicalmusic 1 year ago
In this video Primrose isn't playin' viola. legionnaire used an EQ to make it sound as a viola
Leirbag999sad 1 year ago
@Leirbag999sad dude are you dumb? dont you see the size of the instrument? and how do you now that he isnt playing a viola ? i think you are saying that without knowing
Mrfirebird100 1 year ago 3
@Leirbag999sad You must equalize your brain!Is not so good.
flafla68 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@flafla68 S U C K M Y A S S
Leirbag999sad 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@flafla68 S U C K M Y A S S
Leirbag999sad 1 year ago
pezdeц.
sakkar18 1 year ago
altówka tez potrafi!
MssWalewska1 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
WOW! This is absolutely amazing!!
abbierosew 1 year ago
I don't like his random tempo changes.
broadripple 1 year ago
@broadripple But it´s viola player!!! That´s the point!
jenuficka 1 year ago 2
Idiot
TheGrafov 1 year ago
Muy Bueno... Eso Si Que No Se Ve Todos Los Dias (Y)
mamani91 1 year ago
Um dos melhores do mundo, grande músico, toca maravilhosamente.
sandronorato1 1 year ago
Is he really moving that fast, or was this video sped up?
I find it funny that people are fighting over whether it sounds better on a violin or a viola... It sounds pretty much the same to me, except that the viola just sounds lower. It all depends on the musician!!!
evilshadowlover117 1 year ago
@evilshadowlover117 This was the prime of his life, he was definitely playing that fast. Some people nowadays actually play it faster.
People must remember that it's in a different key on the viola, as it is transposed. And not all that many people play it on the viola nearly as well as Primrose.
MusicCloud1 1 year ago
@MusicCloud1 I know I may be wrong, but just watching the way he moves, it looks sped up and unnatural... or even the way his head moves at 1:03
and i already know the difference between a violin and viola since i play in my school orchestra. i was just saying that it sounds pretty similar on either instrument...
evilshadowlover117 1 year ago
awesome
Mrfirebird100 1 year ago
Amazing
PaulinaMazurkiewicz 1 year ago
Amazing that he can get such perfect response! If only the recording technology was better.
FOR THE RECORD: Paganini on viola >> Walton on violin.
petroffma 1 year ago
haha lol
botbytheblood 1 year ago
8-|
MrMateico 1 year ago
2:00 <-- how does one do pizzicato like that?
VioLAPlaYer239 1 year ago
he's plucking the string with his fourth and third fingers
AscendingDescending 1 year ago
thanks =)
VioLAPlaYer239 1 year ago
Why can't violinists and violists just get along?! JEEZ.
Anyway, as for the actual video itself. This is really nice to listen to, I replayed it several times. And this is coming from a violinist, btw ;)
MissCartoonist 2 years ago
it sounds so much better on a viola than on a violin
VioLAPlaYer239 2 years ago 2
Ii totally agree!
Viola has a better sound
I am a violist and I think that it is the best thing that ever happend to me
Leonor25100 1 year ago
This is alright, i agree with Paradise737, but it's not an inferior instrument. Soon though, there will be more viola players than violinists because they'll all have learnt about the low population of viola players.... but good viola players will be hard to find ; )
DevilViolinist 2 years ago 2
@DevilViolinist it's pretty hard to physically play a decent sized viola so that will always be the first limit. Prize of decent violas is also hard, because few people make them well for reasonable prices (violins are easier to find in quality). Dearth of good starting level viola teachers may be another obstacle. Just some ideas about hinderances (which in the end fortify violist character haha)
pviola314 2 years ago
The Viola is almost better than the violin in a sense (speaking from a biased view) because of the richer tone.
ThePoliticalMusician 2 years ago
@ThePoliticalMusician
lol, good one.
iinfilate 2 years ago
OMG ITS SO PERFECT!!!! The artifical harmonics part isn't so easy either but my favorite is the left hand pizz part
calebcoker 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
Emusic18 2 years ago
so fast
allpable 2 years ago
magnifico!!
Alitha84 2 years ago
very well played but not enchanting it misses some sweetness
imen1993 2 years ago
Oh. My. *turns back to the part with the left-hand pizzicato*.......*drools*
animegur159 2 years ago 2
best violist ever born.
pipoiscool13 2 years ago 2
absolutely amazing!
mystfire 2 years ago 2
Beautiful'
Lisztlovers 2 years ago 2
amazing.
52kida 2 years ago 2
he leaves out variations 5 and 11 then makes up his own ending... I really like 5 :(
WhiteBoySushiSC 2 years ago 2
when was this video made?! amazing by the way
ciaconne90 2 years ago
I like it of how it says The End at the end of the piece.
DoGz1121 2 years ago 2
I'm not sure why it seems sooooo rushed.... He has the technique but where's the fire?
jonboy700 2 years ago 23
Especially around 0:20.
EatYourBeans 2 years ago 2
Im sure if you were there you could see flames, recording was bad back then
mojozohobo 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I so agree!!! My Goodness, where is the falvour of this piece, where is the surreal aura? Yes, it's very fast, but that's all it is, fast.
gnostie 2 years ago
@jonboy700
Best violist in the world has places to be....
crwv 1 year ago
@crwv viola~
xzhibinx 1 year ago
@jonboy700 i can't tell if the recording seems fast forwarded?
MusicCloud1 1 year ago
@jonboy700 The tape is sped up slightly, it's obvious in the octaves variation and the left hand pizz.
pviola314 1 year ago
@jonboy700 Exactly! He's played it waayy too fast! 3 minutes... that's more than twice as fast as most other versions! He leaves no room for the emotions and clearness (it does sound very... flat and emotionless). In my opinion, Perlman's version has just the right pace. Heifetz's interpretation remains the best version, though, in every area. Although some parts are played faster (but that seems to be his trademark), one can still hear and feel the emotions very clearly.
Aiglea 8 months ago
@jonboy700 There's a lot of fire if you ask me
Wishrachi 5 months ago
Primrose is insanely amazing.
ThePoliticalMusician 2 years ago 32
This has been flagged as spam show
Ehh he's all right
He does what he can with an inferior instrument
Paradise737 2 years ago
woah.... you did not just call the viola an inferior instrument. do some research man...
benjerrylover 2 years ago 6
Comment removed
cjh37878 2 years ago
this reminds me of my friend brianna!
guildenstern14 2 years ago
Comment removed
classicrocker1965 2 years ago
i like left hand pizzicato part
sinharvivetempt 2 years ago
It's absolutely sad, that half the comments on the video are about violin vs. viola, and no one even cares about the great perfomance. Btw, it WAS played a 5th lower right? o.0
TXOrchDork 2 years ago
Viola is tuned a 5th lower than violin. Yes it is played a 5th lower. If it were played as written on a viola...uh, well impossible with out an E string.
jaschweigert 2 years ago
Well, you can't quite say "impossible" The 6th cello suite was written for an instrument with 5 strings, but is well played by many cellists with the cello that has 4 strings.
TXOrchDork 2 years ago
It would be impractical? :P
GLXLR 2 years ago
Paganini wrote music for viola, violin, and guitar, not only violin.
Kylebob74 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The violin is much more harder.
paulcatalin 2 years ago
no it's not
InsAInCroManiaCk 2 years ago 3
What is the difference between in a violin and viola? and which one is a lot harder to learn?
nArUtO23sAsUkE 2 years ago
I think the viola is harder to learn because its larger and the distances between the notes are further. Being an old viola chauvinist, I also think the viola is BETTER... :)
bckm54 2 years ago
same, lol it is harder, it's harder to shift and kinda harder to play since it's larger
InsAInCroManiaCk 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Are you playing violin or viola ? if you didn't know , i must tell you that , LARGER = easy , same for cello and bass. , violin > cello , bass , viola ( difficulty i mean)
paulcatalin 2 years ago
Bigger = Harder
Bigger = Less Agility
jaschweigert 2 years ago 2
Are you kidding me? I play the violin and cello at a pretty high level and bass at somewhat a mediocre level and I can tell you that your logic is flawed. Violin is probably the hardest to 100% master because of perfect intonation which is due to its VERY SMALL gap ( I heard only one violinist was able to truly achieve) but otherwise cello and bass is much more difficult because of thumb position, necessary muscles, and the gap that makes intonation incredibly difficult at high register.
RedWasabii 2 years ago
I played violin and viola professionally for many years. I played a small viola and it was still harder than violin. A friend plays both wonderfully in tune with great agility, it's certainly possible but there is a reason most show pieces were written for violin. Today almost no one plays in tune. If you want to hear fabulous intonation, listen to the slew of great violinists born in the 1800s. Start with Kreisler, Sarasate, Ysaye, Prihoda, Kubelik and work from there.
2ndviolinist 2 years ago
Yeah, the half steps are smaller, but that makes it easier in many respects. On larger violas it is hard for me to reach octaves whereas it is a cinch on smaller violas and violins. Another issue that makes the viola harder is the body of the instrument is longer and getting the arm around the upper bouts to play in higher positions can be a challenge. Also, half steps get smaller on viola as well, not just the violin. Trust me, I play both, whereas you never mentioned any experience on a viola.
jaschweigert 2 years ago
Wow this is satanic..........
(that's a compliment)
2007wesman 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It takes an extreme amount of skill to play pagannini let alone playing it on a viola and playing it at the tempo he is taking, but pagannini has no business being on the Viola.
cfeAncient 2 years ago
Why do you say that Pagannini has no business on the viola? It may not be as strong a solo instrument as you believe it should be, but all the same the technical proficiency that it is approached with is on a higher caliber than most people ever hope to play. Violinists who switch over to viola to get a job or work are something that should never be on the viola!! Leave it to those of us who love it, not use it for an opportunity cause we weren't good enough!
dores2012 2 years ago 4
i hope that was a joke.
gar123321 2 years ago
You're retarded. Primrose and Tertis were the ones that made the viola what it is today. Because of performances like this, composers went crazy writing new chamber and concertante pieces for the viola. Without Primrose we wouldn't have the Bartok viola concerto- which violinists LEARN to play the viola just to perform that piece. Without Tertis' transcriptions we wouldn't have the Walton Viola concerto. Stop being arrogant-- no one cares you play violin... everyone does.
SeanMan87 2 years ago 3
Apparently you all think I hate viola, but actually I love them. The Walton concerto and Bartok is awsome, but I still think pagannini shouldn't be on viola. So instead of misunderstanding and thinking I don't like primrose, read my first comment and see that I adored the amount of skill the performer had.
cfeAncient 2 years ago 2
Funny, I never thought your comment was a criticism. I agree that Paganini is not right on some instruments - for example, the cello. Paganini's genius was pretty much limited to being a VIOLIN virtuoso - his technical prowess was built on an instrument with certain distances between the notes, and the particulars of the violin. His music doesnt always translate well to other instruments.
bckm54 2 years ago
Fella play dat fat fiddle reel good but he hold it kinda funny like....pappy tell me to hold closer to the waste...dont leev a mark on the neck dat way.
FlickinPickin 2 years ago
Um.. that is not a fiddle. Its a viola. -_-.
shoes4thoughts 2 years ago 2
wow. i so wish that i could play this piesce. its is so amazing i love it!!!
musicislife2020 2 years ago
Personally, I think the 24th Caprice sounds better on the violin. But I LOVE the tone of the viola! I may use it as my third instrument in college!
JustinK078 2 years ago
yeah, i get the "nice violin" stuff all the time...
but i really think the viola's range is better-sounding than the violin's.
peaceatrebor 3 years ago 5
GREAT!!!!!
Much better than Heifetz's cold-blooded version!!!
LouisLeeKH 3 years ago
the pianist is made of wax!
GrappelliconcertoinG 3 years ago 3
ITS TRUE O.O
Necrolord0 2 years ago
First time i heard this my jaw dropped. Definetly my fav. piece. =)
JRasmusonas 3 years ago
my dream...
Its very impressive
I love paganini, and the viola!!!!
cibeles14 3 years ago 2
Semplicemente spettacolare... Violino e viola sono senza dubbio due strumenti differenti ma,in mano a valenti musicisti, non possono essere messi su diversi piani! Ed io credo che questo video ne sia la dimostrazione..
bussoladoro 3 years ago
Why do I have to be such a jerk about it? Because you seem to have a generic opinion about people playing violin pieces on viola, regardless on how good the interpretation was. However, forgive me if the wording wasn´t nice. You are entitled to your opinion as much as I am.
manutabora 3 years ago
Like I said, it's not that I don't like it. In fact this is one of my favorite pieces. It's just that I would prefer to here a piece that really uses the viola's c and g strings to get that deep rich sound that the viola is capable of making. I apologize as well for biting your head off when I read your comment. You are right; we are both entitled to our own opinions and I respect yours as you respect mine. =-)
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago
All four strings one the viola have a unique sound different than that of the violin. The viola's larger body gives the instrument a richer, fuller sound that should be taken advantage of at all ranges of the instrument.
HannahXIV 3 years ago
Unfortunately, the disadvantage is that violas have not as good response time in comparison to violins, which can be a challenge for pieces like this.
RudeBoy9179 3 years ago
That is why they make viola strings where you can choose light, medium, or heavy gauge. Light are quicker to respond and heavy are slower to respond but do so with a better dark, warm viola sound. They didn't have that luxury back then, which is why Primrose is AMAZING.
jaschweigert 2 years ago
the viola can be very very virtuostic. it is mostly known for its very deep rich tone tho.everybody has differnt opinions.
violaplayer1995 3 years ago 2
Thanks for pointing that out, but like I said, I was only trying to make a point. ^_^
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago 2
oh sure thing np. sometimes people make a big deal for touching the viola's name since its unpopular already. i mean when people see my viola they say "cool violin" you kno. plus people on youtube will take you to court especially if u make not good comment about primrose or heifetz. especially heifetz, they take him more as a god than a human. lol dont get in anymore trouble. bye
violaplayer1995 3 years ago 2
haha lol. ^_^
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago
Hey! HEIFETZ IS A GOD! ZOMG LOLZ. :P Haha, yeah I know that feeling about the "cool violin" thing...but it doesn't help that I play both. It really is a shame, too; the viola is such a beautiful instrument. It can do much more than is usually written for it, I think. Go viola!
masael255 3 years ago 2
If you want to hear viola pieces, then don't come to a video where a violist is playing music written for violin, and then act offended by the fact that they arent using their instrument how you want them to. Search for videos where violists are playing viola music.
jaschweigert 2 years ago
cant we all just get along? he is one of the best viola players born (apart from me) and he played this wonderfully. just agree to disagree. goodness.
pipoissocool1994 3 years ago
Legallybrunette: Do you have anything else to say, or is that the only comment you have learned for when you feel to post something on a viola video? Because you seem to be making the same remark everywhere.
I play violin and viola. The violin has a G string for a reason. Does that mean I should only play on the G string? It also has an E string. Does that mean I should only play on the E string? I don't understand what your point is, it has four strings so you can use all four of them.
manutabora 3 years ago
all i'm saying is that the c string is what makes the viola (and cello) different from violins. violins have an e string and that's what separates them from the rest of the orchestra (besides the bass) and the e string is what makes the violin have a higher sound, while the viola (with a c string) is lower because of the c string. do you have to be such a jerk about it? why are you looking for my comments on viola videos anyway? can i say my opinion without getting a bunch of crap from you?
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago
and, also this piece was not written for a viola. (i'm adding this to my previous comment)
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago
well, i liked it. but violas have a c string for a reason and most of the piece was played on the a and d string. it was still really good though. i don't think i could ever say that i don't like one of the great paganini's pieces
Legallybrunette1234 3 years ago
Thank you for this wonderful concert. I didn't think the viola could be light enough to play Paganini well but I was wrong. I wouldn't try it but it is a treat to see Primrose do it. The film shows real action and he is a master.
Jesse Chene
jessechene 3 years ago
Paganini was a violist as well as a violinist. He wrote a number of peices specifically for viola.
HannahXIV 3 years ago 4
the viola is a respectable instrument "period" and it sounded well too it would feel like a loss not to hear one in the music world
RanKudo007 3 years ago
How is it that in an argument between violists and violinists, it was the violist who was actually able to articulate herself and bring something useful to a thread? I don't know... I think I get dumber every day I play viola, but at least I'm not half the asshole that the violin made me. :D Primrose is pretty rad... too bad the sound quality is so shabby.
tjkastelic 3 years ago 2
i think that to
danielwowman 3 years ago
he should do paganini caprice 1
Gesundheitsschadlich 3 years ago 2
quite possibly the most talented musician ever.
hurlyn88 3 years ago
beatiful viola!!! i love this caprice and the 1rs,
primrose is all
mojandra 3 years ago 2
hey i thought this was somwhere to talk about the player and the piece played. I think it sounds good. I'm a Violist and cant wait to find a copy of this piece arranged for viola and get stuck into learning it. "If you dont have somthing nice to say dont say it."
Joakim3693 3 years ago 2
God damn i hate you people who compare which instrument is harder
And especially for those who says Violin is easy....seriously....why dont' you actually learn it and see how difficult it gets especially when you learn double stop scales that go up to 2 or 3 octaves?
you'll be pulling your hair out even trying to get it in tune!
Jaesango 3 years ago
Imagine doing all that, but on the viola now.
vaust 3 years ago
Viola and Violin have in my opinion have the exact same difficulty level
i've been playing violin for 8 years and i just recently picked up the viola to play. Once you know violin the transition isn't hard if you can read the key signiture since you play everything in 3rd position and the fingers are just stretched a bit more.
And that caprice wasn't originally written for viola so of coures it's gonna be harder. It's the same thing if you try playing the walton concerto on the violin....
Jaesango 3 years ago
they must be about the same...
i play violin but if i played viola id be first chair in my orch easy...
xephyr417 3 years ago
well no duh, most pieces played in the orchestra are by composers who wasn't as familiar with the viola. And besides, the viola is labeled more as the "harmony" rather than the "melody" violin. I switched over to viola over the summer and i am first chair but that doesn't mean the instrument is easy. The songs are much, MUCH simpler.
and unless you can play viola, you can't say it's easier because viola requires a bigger hand, and if you don't have that you're screwed.
Jaesango 3 years ago
no no u misunderstand:] what im saying mainly is that the violas in my orch suck... it was a kinda off the wall point to make... but ive attempted playing a viola... and i didnt suck:] at all... the fundamentals are nearly identical... but i do agree with the point that composers were unfamiliar with the viola... there seriously gyped when it comes to music... the're so versatile... they have the power and the deep resonating tone of the cello, but also a high range similar to that of a violin..
xephyr417 3 years ago
The technique for viola is similar but not exactly the same to the violin. The viola's response is so much slower than violin, so bowing, fingering, and tone have to be learned differently than you would on violin.Plus, the violin vibrato does not acoustically go well with the viola. To sum up what I'm saying, neither instrument is harder than the other, it's just that there's different types of effort that need to be put into either instrument.
Violagrl10 3 years ago 3
response of viola is different from violin?
what do you mean? i wanna know more since i'm playing viola right now too
Jaesango 3 years ago
Yes. The viola is bigger (there's more room for sound to travel) and requires thicker strings/heavier bow. With this setup, the instrument takes more time to play cleaner, smoother passages (the viola is slower than violin; the key is proper anticipation). Bigger hands will not always be the answer. It depends on the viola/alert player. If you once played violin, widen (slow) your vibrato, and remember that the bow needs more applied forces for cleanliness.
Violagrl10 3 years ago 2
also this piece was rewritten specifically for viola... you cant say its harder on the viola... the difficulty should be the same roughly... seeing as how everything thing is shifted a 5th downward for the viola...
xephyr417 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
ya same here lol im a first violinist could make the other violists in my orchestra look like shit. not being a snobby first violinist im just saying. once you play all of the demanding ass violin repetoire its not hard to play viola. still primrose is fuckin badass
festershred 3 years ago
actually it is the other way around
most violinist find it very difficult to switch to viola
meanwhile violas find it easy to switch to violin
sum30guy 3 years ago 8
umm, gee thanks... your so nice to all the violists out there, no offence or anything, but you are being a snobby first violinst.
TylerProdutions 3 years ago 5
I've only been playing Viola for one year and i bet anything i could still play better than you.
Deep40000 3 years ago 2
I didn't mean at primrose lul i meant it at TylerProductions. XD
Deep40000 3 years ago
Woops sorry damn i always get it wrong. XD
at festershred.
Deep40000 3 years ago
yeah, thanks for your kind words to all the viloists out there... you probably only played the violin because you didn't care what you played and wanted to play what everyone else played btw: if violins weren't so popular (and didn't screw up the string orchestra) violas would have been next in line and why are you even watching this anyways?
TylerProdutions 3 years ago
im watching it cuz i appreciate all music... and i misclicked:] (srsly it was an accident)
violins screw up the string orchestra??? tell me this... without the violins could you HAVE a string orchestra? however it must be noted that we'd be fine without the violas... in fact ive played in quartets without violas... 2nds and cellos cover their part... i have no problem with violas, i respect them
and i play the violn bcuz i thought that it was a beautiful instrument the very first time i heard it
xephyr417 3 years ago
@ Jaesango
You're the first primarily violinist I've heard say that. Most violinists I know are (not to offend) used to the ease of how much less movement is required for shifting, or even hitting the 5th above the string, as well as less trouble with vibrato (for the same reasons), and less trouble with getting the full sound out of the note (with 3 or 4 part chords it's hard to get this on a viola IMO), since the strings are thinner, and most have a synthetic core.
vaust 3 years ago
err
in my opinion, gettinig full sounds out of both instruments are equal. Also, you can't exactly say shifting on violin is easier because shifting is all muscle memory. If you learned Viola first then shifting on violin would be harder and vice versa. The vibrato on Viola is good as it allows you to widen your vibrato and not sound like you're getting electrocuted when playing the violin. The chords are mostly your bowing and a little bit of it is the instrument but overall it's the same.
Jaesango 3 years ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
I am saying all of this from experience.
vaust 3 years ago
vaust... I agree with you 2000%, most of my violin colleagues say the same thing. Jaesango, not all violas are of equal size/quality. Violins are acoustically perfect for there sizes (confirmed fact), but violas have to be physically ridiculously large to own up to that "full" sound you mentioned. With thus said, executing technique is not as easy for one as it is for the opther. Technique for violin can be applied to viola, but the application in music can be very different.
Violagrl10 3 years ago
i have to disagree on this because getting a full sound on viola compared to violin is much harder. this is because to get a full sound out of a viola rather then a violin require much more perfection in posture and bowing technique because of the larger size. Also, shifting on a violin is much than on a viola. Sure it is muscle memory, it doesnt....
sheepbird 3 years ago
change the fact that the larger size is alot more cumbersome. making a shift into 3rd on viola slower than on a violin. about the vibrato, violin vibrato require a much smaller distance to gain the full range of vibrato nessesary on a viola require a very wide finger motion. and chords i can say are similar though they still require perfect bowing on both violin and viola its just much more noticeable in sound if a violist doesnt have perfect bowing. I'm not sure if you play viola or....
sheepbird 3 years ago
ya wow way to be a bunch of pussies about everything shut the hell up and listen to paganini.
thatsbalone 3 years ago
Why doesn't everyone just enjoy the music??
SS29365 3 years ago 5