Tag Archives: Bach

Regarding the Viola

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Fact: There are more jokes about the viola than about any other musical instrument or vocal range.

You can verify this by looking at the de facto compendium of music jokes, hosted at MIT. So numerous are the viola jokes that they split them into two sections.

I picked up the viola two decades ago and was smitten. I still play my violin, but it mostly sits silently neglected in my dual case while its larger companion is removed and played regularly. My blog post of a couple days ago was one of those rare occasions where I played my violin.

Many people do not know what a viola is and how it differs from the violin. I gave a little talk a few months ago on this very topic. Click this link to see my presentation slides (28 slides in total):

“The Viola: A light-hearted look into a serious instrument”

It talks about the history and development of the instrument, why there are so many viola jokes, and famous people and composers who loved the viola. I hope you enjoy the slides while learning about the viola.

I borrowed quotes from Jennifer’s Stumm’s excellent Ted Talk about the viola: “An Imperfect Instrument.” She includes several excellent musical excerpts in her talk demonstrating the sound of this lovely instrument:

Here is an excellent performance by my friend, Aurora Giselle Torres Cuevas performing the Prelude from Bach’s Suite No. 2 in D Minor which really showcase the viola and its unique sound and rich tone.

Why do I love the viola? I composed my own soliloquy to the viola twenty years ago (with all due respect to the violin and the wonderful people who have mastered that beautiful instrument):

The violin is like a high school or college student: full of fire, energy, passion, and ego…but not much emotional depth.

The viola is the blues singer. Her voice has been destroyed by cheap booze and cigarettes. She’s loved and been betrayed…many times. When she sings of happiness, it is tinged with pain, because we know it won’t last. When she sings a sad tune, it cuts deeply, for it comes from personal loss.

Toby Loftus

If you have any questions about the viola, feel free to comment and I’ll respond as best I can.

The Virtual Brandenburg Project

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Concerts I was scheduled to play have been cancelled. Getting together with musicians to read chamber music, which is one of the things I love to do most, I cannot do.

Ten days ago, I was outside weeding my yard when my dear friend, musician and celebrated poet, Anna George Meek and I had a brief chat online. We talked about possibly trying to play music together online, and that’s when I decided I wanted to try to organize a virtual chamber group. I decided I wanted to do Bach’s Brandenburg #3.

Mind you, I’ve never tackled anything even remotely like this before.

I contacted musician friends all over the country and abroad, and within less than six hours had enough people willing to cover all 9 separate parts, some with 2 or more players per part.

Soon, videos were coming in from 6 states, and two from Germany. Every time a new video arrived I felt an excitement and joy like a little boy opening a birthday gift.

Some of these people I have not seen in years. One I have seen only once in three decades. Getting to see them and play virtually together was a heartwarming online reunion.

The project is finished, and I couldn’t be happier! Multiple musicians have been generous in their praise and gratitude for having a joyful project like this to work on while holed up in solitude.

I sincerely believe we need joy, hope, and connection during this dark time of fear and isolation. What better way than through music.

The Virtual Brandenburg Project
Virtual Brandenburg Project: Thanks for the Laughs!

I hope this project and the associated blooper video brighten your day!

Stay safe, stay sane, and stay connected…at a safe minimum distance!