Mikhail Glinka - Viola Sonata in D Minor

Violist Paul Silverthorne and Pianist Aglaia Tarantino perform Glinka's Viola Sonata in D Minor.

Recorded and live streamed from LSO St Luke's on Friday November 13th 2015 as part of LSO Discovery's Lunchtime Concert series.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Follow the LSO on:

[LondonSymphonyOrchestra]

Join our live stream from Trafalgar Square on 13 July from 5pm, BST and enjoy music by Stravinsky, Brahms, Chabrier and Lee.

[RodrigoFernandez-tduk]

You all complain that the viola is underrated, but nobody has a word for the guy who turns the pages of the score. He is also important.

[grobaniteever]

I don't know why people hate the viola! This sounds heavenly! It sounds like a violin but a lower tone!

[-kj]

The viola is so underrated: the sound is so yearning and melting, it burns, it cherishes you, it squeals, it cries and, while you are erotically raptured, it scratches the air and whispers...

[rocketqueen]

I played the viola in school because everyone else wanted the violin. Even in Jr high and high school, there were only three of us. I absolutely love the deep notes and tones so much better than the violin. The viola is a beautiful instrument, the alto sister. ( I'm looking at mine in her case now <3 )

[lonniepaulson]

I have a lot of respect for the viola. I bought a viola case for my violin so nobody would steel my violin. Now to be serious, I am a amateur violinist who loves the sound of the viola. I have a number of viola CDs. I plan to purchase a viola in the near future. My favorite viola sonata is Henry Vieuxtemps Capriccio (unaccompanied solo). How can anybody listen to Vieuxtemps' Caprice and not fall in love with the viola. One last comment: My violin teacher's favorite string instrument was the viola.

[Laura_Bass_]

I miss my viola… I played the viola when was a teenager and my biggest dream is to play it again. I imagine having my viola in my hands. 🥲 please appreciate the time with your instrument 😶

[Alex-yldz]

To me, the viola is like a great pair of balanced headphones, rich sound, bass only when it's meant to be there, nails the highs. A violin is like a tinny pair of cheap in-ears.

[billiejean]

Every instrument needs to be respected. Beautiful music.

[台湾人タピオカミルクティーが大]

I play the viola for 5 years, violas' sound is really beautiful !!
People need to know more about viola.

[rachaelbratsch]

Both the pianist and violist are AMAZING!!! Thank you for sharing your hard earned gift!

[mythicalashley]

I don't know what people hate the Viola Its literally just sounds lower and less screechy version of the violin

[cm]

I live half an hour by car from Mikhail Glinka's house where he was born and spent his childhood. This place is wonderful, as is its music.

[agswiftie]

As a cello player of five years, and friend of many more violas than violins, I have always loved the viola. I’ve always wanted to play it along with the cello. A viola is the perfect combo of high notes and low notes.

[TheArindamusician]

I always prefer viola over violin because of its heavier and mellower sound than its violin counterpart.

[torilewis]

This viola and Paul are meant to be together. Such an amazing alchemy

[marichristian]

My uncle taught me to love Glinka. I wish he were alive to hear this recital. Although I studied the cello, the viola is truly the glory of the orchestra and the string ensemble. It represents the mean of all of the string instruments.

[violatione]

Paul is phenomenal. I played with him a couple of years ago and his sound was absolutely magnificent! 😀

[karshbandicoot]

All the people talking about how 'underrated' or disliked viola is are just perpetuating the trope. It's a musical instrument like any other, and like every instrument, you'll find takers and you'll find haters. Get over it.
- violist

[baglmonstr]

I used to think of the viola as a mini-cello, but not anymore. It's a beautiful instrument that stands on its own. It has an earthy warmth in the lower registers that the violin lacks, and a richness in the middle to higher tones that is simultaneously as dulcet as the violin and as velvety as the cello's. In other words, it has a bit of the best of both. A wonderful instrument that should be heard more in concert halls.