Violas
The viola lies within the pitch range where the human ear is most sensitive
to subtle nuances; in each instrument I try to achieve a layered kind of
sound allowing the player many options in tonal exploration and expression.
However, the stress and strain faced by violists is never forgotten. Every
viola is constructed to be ergonomically friendly no matter the size or shape.
Violas start at $20,000
Puck
In 2003, Puck, a viola of 16 inches was completed. The top is of Hemlock, while the two-piece back is from evenly flamed Big Leaf Maple. Puck has a quick response and a sound which is big unlike its size. Inside is a quote from Shakespeare. Sherry Woods, a composer from South Carolina plays this instrument.
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Patriarch
In 1972 Gary Logsdon, principal violist of the NMSO and one of the first musicians to have faith in my abilities, designed a 17 and 1/4" viola which I completed in 1973. Gary played this instrument for many years until its size took its toll on his own frame. The Patriarch, which sounds indeed as if Moses himself has just spoken from the mountain, is now being played by Jae Lee whose size is an equal match for this instrument.
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Plato
Plato is among my Greek themed instruments paying homage to the Greek sense of balance and form visually and audibly — which I am sure existed in their lost instruments as well. This instrument is also "balanced" in playability being small, 15 and 1/4 inches and having the heart shape at the base creating a niche for the neck whereby the player can pose the instrument on both collar bones for security and ease of playing without a shoulder rest.
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Heart's Ease
Heart's Ease is a 14and1/4" da Salo style viola created for a violist in London who has left arm difficulties. Its tone is as meaty as any full size viola but the feel is that of a violin. The string length is 13and1/8" and the width of the neck at the nut is violin sized at 23mm. This instrument would also be ideal for violinists doubling on viola.
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Puma
For violists with large hands and long arms I have recently completed a 17and 3/16" instrument called "Puma." A highly arched one piece top and back enclose an airspace which generates a huge rich sound. Even though the instrument is large, the string length is only 15 and 1/8" and the neck is on the narrow side making the instrument very easy to navigate.
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Bluebonnet
Bluebonnet is a 15 and 7/8" viola capturing the big sound of the Texas hill country and the beauty of blooming Bluebonnets within its small dimensions. The quality of its tone is quintessential viola but with an added huskiness reminiscent of rustling grasses.
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Nautilus
A highly flamed one-piece back, spruce top, 16 ½ inch body length describes the physical viola. Violists able to play this large an instrument will be rewarded with a tone of many perspectives influenced by the high arching in both the top and back.
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Titus
Violists hoping for the impossible dream: a big sound from a 16 inch body, need look no further than this da Salo model. At first glance, the shape may look new and unusual, but in the 1500’s violas such as Titus were probably common. The shape solves the problem of how to come by enough internal air space which creates a lot of sound without great body length.
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Octopus
Among all the violas pictured, the Octopus was made with only a few players in mind. The body length is just under 20 inches! Of course the tone is big, fat and juicy. I have shaved off every bit of wood and string length I could to make this viola playable in the horizontal position, but still only NBA size hands and arms should attempt playing the Octopus.
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Dionysus
Small sloping shoulders coupled with large lower bouts gives Dionysus (16 3/8 inch) depth of tone and easy maneuverability.
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Pascal
da Salo’s legacy reaches out again in the design of the Pascal. This viola is quite small: 15¼ inch body length making it a breeze to play, but the tone has a great heart.
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Papillon
A direct descendant of da Salo’s viola is the Papillon. A tiny viola (14 ½ inches), this instrument was made for a petite violist who is no longer in pain and who is now in possession of tone impossible to get with the modern violin shaped instrument.
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Primrose
Like Dionysus, the Primrose (16 5/8 inches) is derived from a viola designed by the violist, Lionel Tertis. All the instruments I have made following these design parameters – small upper bouts, wider lower bouts – have been highly praised by the recipients for their playability and pleasing but big tones.
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