The viola d'amore (; ) is a 7- or 6- stringed

musical instrument A musical instrument is a device created or adapted to make Music, musical sounds. In principle, any object that produces sound can be considered a musical instrument—it is through purpose that the object becomes a musical instrument. A person ...

with additional sympathetic strings used chiefly in the

baroque period The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from the early 17th century until the 1750s. It followed Renaissance art and Mannerism and preceded the Rococo (in ...

. It is played under the chin in the same manner as the

violin The violin, sometimes referred to as a fiddle, is a wooden chordophone, and is the smallest, and thus highest-pitched instrument (soprano) in regular use in the violin family. Smaller violin-type instruments exist, including the violino picc ...

Structure and sound

The viola d'amore shares many features of the

viol The viola da gamba (), or viol, or informally gamba, is a bowed and fretted string instrument that is played (i.e. "on the leg"). It is distinct from the later violin family, violin, or ; and it is any one of the earlier viol family of bow (m ...

family. It looks like a thinner treble viol without frets and sometimes with sympathetic strings added. The six-string viola d'amore and the treble viol also have approximately the same ambitus or range of playable notes. Like all viols, it has a flat back. An intricately carved head at the top of the peg box is common on both viols and viola d'amore, although some viols lack one. Unlike the carved heads on viols, the viola d'amore's head occurs most often as Cupid blindfolded to represent the blindness of love. Its sound-holes are commonly in the shape of a flaming sword known as "The Flaming Sword of Islam" (suggesting the instrument's development was influenced by the Islamic World). This was one of the three usual sound hole shapes for viols as well. It is unfretted, and played much like a

, being held horizontally under the chin. It is about the same size as the modern

viola The viola ( , () ) is a string instrument of the violin family, and is usually bowed when played. Violas are slightly larger than violins, and have a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of the ...

. The viola d'amore usually has six or seven playing strings, which are sounded by drawing a bow across them, just as with a violin. In addition, it has an equal number of sympathetic strings located below the main strings and the

fingerboard The fingerboard (also known as a fretboard on fretted instruments) is an important component of most stringed instruments. It is a thin, long strip of material, usually wood, that is laminated to the front of the neck of an instrument. The stri ...

which are not played directly but vibrate in sympathy with the notes played. A common variation is six playing strings, and instruments exist with as many as fourteen sympathetic strings alone. Despite the fact that the sympathetic strings are now thought of as the most characteristic element of the instrument, early forms of the instrument almost uniformly lacked them. The first unambiguous reference to a viola d'amore with sympathetic strings does not occur until the 1730s. Both types continued to be built and played through the 18th century. Largely thanks to the sympathetic strings, the viola d'amore has a particularly sweet and warm sound.

Leopold Mozart Johann Georg Leopold Mozart (November 14, 1719 – May 28, 1787) was a German composer, violinist, and music theorist. He is best known today as the father and teacher of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and for his violin textbook ''Versuch einer grün ...

, writing in his ''

Versuch einer gründlichen Violinschule ''Versuch einer gründlichen Violinschule'' (''A Treatise on the Fundamental Principles of Violin Playing'') is a textbook for instruction in the violin, published by Leopold Mozart in 1756. The work was influential in its day, and continues to ...

'', said that the instrument sounded "especially charming in the stillness of the evening." The first known mention of the name ''viol d'amore'' appeared in

John Evelyn John Evelyn (31 October 162027 February 1706) was an English writer, landowner, gardener, courtier and minor government official, who is now best known as a diary, diarist. He was a founding Fellow of the Royal Society. John Evelyn's Diary, ...

's ''

Diary A diary is a written or audiovisual memorable record, with discrete entries arranged by date reporting on what has happened over the course of a day or other period. Diaries have traditionally been handwritten but are now also often digita ...

'' (20 November 1679): "''for its swetenesse & novelty the Viol d'Amore of 5 wyre-strings, plaid on with a bow, being but an ordinary violin, play'd on Lyra way by a German, than which I never heard a sweeter Instrument or more surprizing...''"

Range

As on the treble viol, the register above the octave (d) on the top string would seldom be used except in contemporary music. The viola d'amore was normally tuned specifically for the piece it was to play - cf.

scordatura Scordatura (; literally, Italian for "discord", or "mistuning") is a Musical tuning, tuning of a string instrument that is different from the normal, standard tuning. It typically attempts to allow special effects or unusual Chord (music), chords ...

. Towards the end of the 18th century the standard tuning became Open D Major: A, d, a, d', f', a', d".

Use

The instrument was especially popular in the late 17th century, although a specialised viola d'amore player would have been highly unusual, since it was customary for professional musicians to play a number of instruments, especially within the family of the musician's main instrument. Later, the instrument fell from use, as the volume and power of the

violin family The violin family of musical instruments was developed in Italy in the 16th century. At the time the name of this family of instruments was viole da braccio which was used to distinguish them from the viol family (viole ''da gamba''). The standa ...

became preferred over the delicacy and sweetness of the

family. However, there has been renewed interest in the viola d'amore in the last century. The viola players

Henri Casadesus Henri-Gustave Casadesus (30 September 1879 – 31 May 1947) was a violist, viola d'amore player, composer, and music publisher. Early life Born in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, Casadesus received his early musical instruction with Albert L ...

and

Paul Hindemith Paul Hindemith ( ; ; 16 November 189528 December 1963) was a German and American composer, music theorist, teacher, violist and conductor. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively in Europe. As a composer, he became a major advo ...

both played the viola d'amore in the early 20th century, and the film composer

Bernard Herrmann Bernard Herrmann (born Maximillian Herman; June 29, 1911December 24, 1975) was an American composer and conductor best known for his work in film scoring. As a conductor, he championed the music of lesser-known composers. He is widely regarde ...

made use of it in several scores. It may be noted that, like instruments of the violin family, the modern viola d'amore was altered slightly in structure from the baroque version, mainly to support the extra tension of steel wound strings.

Leoš Janáček Leoš Janáček (, 3 July 1854 – 12 August 1928) was a Czech composer, Music theory, music theorist, Folkloristics, folklorist, publicist, and teacher. He was inspired by Moravian folk music, Moravian and other Slavs, Slavic music, includin ...

originally planned to use the viola d'amore in his second string quartet, "Intimate Letters". The use of the instrument was symbolic of the nature of his relationship with Kamila Stösslová, a relationship that inspired the work. However, the version with viola d'amore was found in rehearsal to be impracticable, and Janáček re-cast the part for a conventional viola.

Sergei Prokofiev Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev; alternative transliterations of his name include ''Sergey'' or ''Serge'', and ''Prokofief'', ''Prokofieff'', or ''Prokofyev''. , group=n ( – 5 March 1953) was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor who l ...

's ballet ''Romeo and Juliet'' features a viola d'amore as well. The viola d'amore can regularly be heard today in

musical ensemble A musical ensemble, also known as a music group, musical group, or a band is a group of people who perform Instrumental music, instrumental and/or vocal music, with the ensemble typically known by a distinct name. Some music ensembles consist ...

s that specialise in

historically informed performance Historically informed performance (also referred to as period performance, authentic performance, or HIP) is an approach to the performance of Western classical music, classical music which aims to be faithful to the approach, manner and style of ...

s of

Baroque music Baroque music ( or ) refers to the period or dominant style of Classical music, Western classical music composed from about 1600 to 1750. The Baroque style followed the Renaissance music, Renaissance period, and was followed in turn by the Class ...

on authentic instruments.

Scordatura notation

Scordatura Scordatura (; literally, Italian for "discord", or "mistuning") is a Musical tuning, tuning of a string instrument that is different from the normal, standard tuning. It typically attempts to allow special effects or unusual Chord (music), chords ...

'' notation was first used in the late seventeenth century as a way to quickly read music for violin with altered tunings. It was a natural choice for viola d'amore and other stringed instruments not tuned in the usual fifths, especially those whose intervals between strings are not uniform across their range.

Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber correctly ''Biber von Bibern'' ( bapt. 12 August 1644, Stráž pod Ralskem – 3 May 1704, Salzburg) was a Bohemian-Austrian composer and violinist. Biber worked in Graz and Kroměříž before he illegally left ...

Antonio Vivaldi Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 28 July 1741) was an Italian composer, virtuoso violinist, impresario of Baroque music and Roman Catholic priest. Regarded as one of the greatest Baroque composers, Vivaldi's influence during his lif ...

and Johann Joseph Vilsmayr (a student of Biber), among others, wrote pieces for violin with one or more strings retuned to notes other than the usual fifths. Given that the viola d’amore was usually played by violinists and that many different tunings were used, scordatura notation made it easier for a violinist to read the music. Scordatura notation exists in a number of different types. Treble clef, alto clef and soprano clefs are all used by different composers. Bass clef is typically used for notes on the lower two or three strings (6 or 7 string instruments) and usually sounds an octave higher than written. In scordatura, one imagines that one is playing a violin (or in some cases a viola, where alto clef is used) tuned in the normal fifths. Scordatura notation informs the player not about what note will sound but rather about where they should place their fingers; therefore, it may be referred to as a

tablature Tablature (or tab for short) is a form of musical notation indicating instrument fingering or the location of the played notes rather than musical pitches. Tablature is common for fretted stringed instruments such as the guitar, lute or vihuel ...

or "finger" notation. In Biber's ''Harmonia Artificiosa'' no. VII, a different version of scordatura notation is used. Biber uses a nine line staff. The clefs used are based on alto clef (imagining that you are playing a viola). The piece is written for a six-stringed instrument. The upper part of the staff supposes that you are playing on the upper four strings and the lower part that you are playing on the lower four strings (still imagining that you are reading the four strings of a viola in alto clef). This does mean that there are two ways of notating notes on the middle two strings but it quickly becomes apparent, when playing, what the correct reading should be.

Repertoire

;Baroque period * Heinrich Biber (1644–1704) :: ''Partita VII'' for two viole d'amore and basso continuo, from ''Harmonia artificiosa - ariosa'', 1696. * Christian Pezold (1677-1733) :: 2 Partitas for solo viola d'amore * Attilio Ariosti (1666–1729) :: ''6 Lessons'' for viola d'amore and continuo :: 15

Sonata In music a sonata (; pl. ''sonate'') literally means a piece ''played'' as opposed to a cantata (Latin and Italian ''cantare'', "to sing"), a piece ''sung''. The term evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms until th ...

s :: used in 2

cantata A cantata (; ; literally "sung", past participle feminine singular of the Italian language, Italian verb ''cantare'', "to sing") is a vocal music, vocal Musical composition, composition with an musical instrument, instrumental accompaniment, ty ...

s :: used as an obbligato instrument in the opera, "Marte Placato" *

(1678–1741) :: Concerto in D major, RV 392, P.166 :: Concerto in D minor, RV 393, P.289 :: Concerto in D minor, RV 394, P.288 :: Concerto in D minor, RV 395, P.287 :: Concerto in A major, RV 396, P.233 :: Concerto in A minor, RV 397, P.37 :: Concerto in D minor for viola d'amore and lute, RV 540 :: Concerto da Camera in F major for viola d'amore, 2 oboes, 2 horns, bassoon, continuo, RV 97 ::: Vivaldi also used the viola d'amore as an

obbligato In Western classical music, ''obbligato'' (, also spelled ''obligato'') usually describes a musical line that is in some way indispensable in performance. Its opposite is the marking '' ad libitum''. It can also be used, more specifically, to ind ...

instrument in sacred works and operas: :: Nisi Dominus, RV 608 ''Gloria Patri'' :: Nisi Dominus, RV 803 ''Nisi Dominus'' :: Tito Manlio, RV 738 ''Tu dormi in tante pene'' :: Juditha Triumphans, 644 ''Quanto magis generosa'' *

Christoph Graupner Christoph Graupner (10 May 1760) was a German composer and harpsichordist of late Baroque music who was a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann and George Frideric Handel. Life Born in Hartmannsdorf near Kirchberg i ...

(1683–1760) :: Concerto in D major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 314 :: Concerto in F major for flute, viola d'amore, chalumeau, strings and continuo, GWV 327 :: Concerto in D major for flauto d'amore,

oboe d'amore The ; (), less commonly (), is a double reed woodwind musical instrument in the oboe family. Slightly larger than the oboe, it has a less assertive and a more tranquil and serene tone, and is considered the mezzo-soprano of the oboe family, betw ...

, viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 333 :: Concerto in g minor for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 336 :: Concerto in A major for viola, viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 339 :: Concerto in B major for chalumeau, viola d'amore, oboe, strings and continuo, GWV 343 :: Ouverture in D major for

, viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 419 :: Ouverture in D minor for bassoon, viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 426 :: Ouverture in D major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 427 :: Ouverture in E major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 438 :: Ouverture in F major for flute, viola d'amore, chalumeau, strings and continuo, GWV 450 :: Ouverture in F major for flute, viola d'amore, 2 chalumeaux, strings and continuo, GWV 451 :: Ouverture in G major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 459 :: Ouverture in G major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 460 :: Ouverture in G major for viola d'amore, bassoon, strings and continuo, GWV 465 :: Ouverture in A major for viola d'amore, strings and continuo, GWV 476 :: Ouverture in A major for flute, viola d'amore, oboe, bassoon, strings and continuo, GWV 477 :: Sinfonia in F major for soli viola d'amore, cello and bassoon, 3 violas and basso continuo, GWV 577 :: Trio Sonata in B major for flute, viola d'amore and continuo, GWV 217 :: Trio Sonata in C major for flute, viola d'amore and continuo, GWV 202 :: Trio Sonata in D major for flute, viola d'amore and continuo, GWV 205 :: Trio Sonata in D minor for flute, viola d'amore and continuo, GWV 207 :: Trio Sonata in E minor for flute, viola d'amore and continuo, GWV 209 :: Trio Sonata in F major for viola d'amore, bass chalumeau and continuo, GWV 210 ::: Graupner also used the viola d'amore as an

instrument in 18 of his cantatas: :: Ach Sterbliche bedenkt das Ende, GWV 1157/25 :: Erschrocknes Zion sei erfreut, GWV 1128/24 :: Erwacht ihr Heiden, GWV 1111/34 :: Gott ist's der in euch wirket, GWV 1163/23 :: Halleluja Dank und Ehre, GWV 1109/40 :: Herr unser Gott, GWV 1174/17 :: Ich habe Lust abzuscheiden, GWV 1175/26c :: Ihr schlummert, ihr schlafet :: Jesu frommer Menschenherden, GWV 1140/25 :: Kommet herzu lasset uns dem Herrn frohlocken, GWV 1174/38 :: Lobet ihr Knechte des Herrn, GWV 1174/18 :: Preise Jerusalem den Herrn, GWV 1174/20 :: Schicket euch in die Zeit, GWV 1151/14 :: So demütiget euch nun, GWV 1125/23 :: Wer die Wahrheit tut, GWV 1139/38 :: Wir warten eines neuen Himmels, GWV 1167/23 :: Wir wissen dass unser irdisches Haus, GWV 1175/39b :: Wisset ihr nicht dass auf diesen Tag, GWV 1127/26 *

Georg Philipp Telemann Georg Philipp Telemann (; – 25 June 1767) was a German Baroque composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is one of the most prolific composers in history, at least in terms of surviving works. Telemann was considered by his contemporaries to b ...

(1681–1767) :: Concerto in E major for flute,

, viola d'amore, strings and continuo :: Trio Sonata in D major for flute, viola d'amore and continuo :: No.26 & 36 in Brockes Passion, TWV 5:1 :: Cantata ''Herr lehre uns bedenken dass wir sterben müssen'', TWV 1:763 *

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (German: Help:IPA/Standard German, �joːhan zeˈbasti̯an baχ ( – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque music, Baroque period. He is known for his prolific output across a variety ...

(1685–1750) :: used in

aria In music, an aria (, ; : , ; ''arias'' in common usage; diminutive form: arietta, ; : ariette; in English simply air (music), air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrument (music), instrumental or orchestral accompan ...

no.19 and 20 of the '' Johannes Passion'' and in Cantatas Nos. 36c, 152, and 205 :: Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152 *

Johann Joachim Quantz Johann Joachim Quantz (; 30 January 1697 – 12 July 1773) was a German composer, flute, flutist and flute maker of the late Baroque music, Baroque period. Much of his professional career was spent in the court of Frederick the Great, where he s ...

(1697–1773) :: Two Trio Sonatas (in F major and c minor) for flute, viola d'amore and continuo * Louis-Toussaint Milandre (18th century) :: ''Pièces pour une viole d'amour avec basse'' :: ''Pièces pour une viole d'amour, violon et basse'' :: ''Trio en fa pour une viole d'amour, violon et basse'' * Carlo Martinides (c.1731–1794) :: ''Divertimento'' in D major for viola d'amore, violin, viola and cello *

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( ; ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...

(1732–1809) :: ''Divertimento'' for viola d'amore, violin and cello; This is an arrangement of a work by Haydn, but made in the 18th century. *

Carl Stamitz Carl Philipp Stamitz (; baptized 8 May 17459 November 1801) was a German composer of partial Czech ancestry. He was the most prominent representative of the second generation of the Mannheim School. He was the eldest son of Johann Stamitz, a vio ...

(1745–1801) :: 3 solo Concertos :: Sonata in D major for viola d'amore and violin or viola :: various other sonatas :: Quartet for oboe, violin, viola d'amore and cello * Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754–1812) :: Quartet in E major (D major) for viola d'amore, 2 violins and cello * Joseph Leopold Eybler (1765–1846) :: Quintet No.1 in D major for viola d'amore, violin, viola, cello and violone :: Quintet No.2 in D major for viola d'amore, violin, viola, cello and violone :: Offertorium, "In Festo Sta. Theresia" for Tenor, soli viola d'amore, cello, with strings and chorus ;Modern works * Louis van Waefelghem (1840–1908) :: ''Romance'' in D major for violin or viola d'amore and piano (1891) :: ''Soir d'automne'' (Autumn Evening), Melody for viola d'amore or viola and piano or harp (1903) * Charles Martin Loeffler (1861–1935) :: ''La mort de Tintagiles'', Symphonic poem for viola d'amore and orchestra, Op. 6 (1897–1900) :: 'The Lone Prairie" for tenor saxophone, viola d'amore and piano :: Miscellaneous pieces for viola d'amore with other instruments and/or chorus. *

Ottorino Respighi Ottorino Respighi ( , , ; 9 July 187918 April 1936) was an Italian composer, violinist, teacher, and musicologist and one of the leading Italian composers of the early 20th century. List of compositions by Ottorino Respighi, His compositions ra ...

(1879-1936) :: Quartet for quinton, viola d'amore, viola da gamba, basse de viole *

(1879–1947) :: Concerto for viola d'amore and strings :: ''24 Préludes'' for viola d'amore and harpsichord, piano or harp (1931) *

Heitor Villa-Lobos Heitor Villa-Lobos (March 5, 1887November 17, 1959) was a Brazilian composer, conductor, cellist, and classical guitarist described as "the single most significant creative figure in 20th-century Brazilian art music". Villa-Lobos has globally bec ...

(1887–1959) :: ''Amazonas'' * Frank Martin (1890–1974) ::

Sonata da chiesa ''Sonata da chiesa'' ( Italian: "church sonata") is a 17th-century genre of musical composition for one or more melody instruments and is regarded an antecedent of later forms of 18th century instrumental music. It generally comprises four movemen ...

for viola d'amore and

organ Organ and organs may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a group of tissues organized to serve a common function * Organ system, a collection of organs that function together to carry out specific functions within the body. Musical instruments ...

or string orchestra (1952) *

(1895–1963) :: ''Kleine Sonate'' (Small Sonata) for viola d'amore and piano, Op. 25 No. 2 (1922) :: ''Kammermusik'' No. 6 for viola d'amore and chamber orchestra, Op. 46 No. 1 (1927) *

Bruno Maderna Bruno Maderna (born Bruno Grossato, 21 April 1920 – 13 November 1973) was an Italian composer, conductor and academic teacher. Life Maderna was born Bruno Grossato in Venice but later decided to take the name of his mother, Caterina Carolina M ...

(1920–1973) :: ''Viola'' per viola sola (o viola d'amore) (1971) *

Salvatore Sciarrino Salvatore Sciarrino (born 4 April 1947) is an Italian composer of contemporary classical music. Described as "the best-known and most performed Italian composer" of the present day, his works include ''Quaderno di strada'' (2003) and ''La porta d ...

(*1947) :: ''Romanza'' per viola d'amore e orchestra (1973) * Paul Rosenbloom (*1952) :: Concerto for two viole d'amore and chamber orchestra (1994) * Michael Edwards (*1968) :: ''24/7:: freedom fried'' for viola d'amore and live electronics (2006) * Dario Palermo (*1970) :: ''Ritual'' for viola d'amore, real time composition and live electronics (2007) * Emily Doolittle (*1972) :: ''Virelais'' for viola d'amore and voice (2001) * Rachel Stott (*1968) :: ''Odysseus in Ogygia'' for six viole d'amore (2011) :: ''Tartini and his Pupil'' for two viole d'amore (2016) :: '' Ariel's Songs'' for soprano and two viole d'amore (2000) :: '' Wenn Wege sich Kreuzen'' for soprano and viola d'amore (2013) :: '' Maturity'' for soprano and viola d'amore (2014) * Hans Vermeersch (*1957) :: ''Gadbad-Confusion'' for two viole d'amore, viola da gamba and cembalo (2012) :: ''Bhalobasha-Love'' for viola d'amore and tape (2012) :: ''Makbaraa-Tombeau'' for two viole d'amore, cello and cembalo (2014) :: ''Stootch-Reflection'' for viola d'amore and tape (2014) * Daniel Wyman :: ''Through the Reed'' for viola d'amore and digital recording (1997) ;The viola d'amore is also used in : * ''

Les Huguenots () is an opera by Giacomo Meyerbeer and is one of the most popular and spectacular examples of grand opera. In five acts, to a libretto by Eugène Scribe and Émile Deschamps, it premiered in Paris on 29 February 1836. Composition history '' ...

'' (1836) by

Giacomo Meyerbeer Giacomo Meyerbeer (born Jakob Liebmann Meyer Beer; 5 September 1791 – 2 May 1864) was a German opera composer, "the most frequently performed opera composer during the nineteenth century, linking Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Mozart and Richard Wa ...

* '' Bánk bán'' (1861) by Ferenc Erkel * '' Le jongleur de Notre-Dame'' (1901) and "Cendrillon" (1899) by

Jules Massenet Jules Émile Frédéric Massenet (; 12 May 1842 – 13 August 1912) was a French composer of the Romantic music, Romantic era best known for his operas, of which he wrote more than thirty. The two most frequently staged are ''Manon'' (1884 ...

* ''

Madama Butterfly ''Madama Butterfly'' (; ''Madame Butterfly'') is an opera in three acts (originally two) by Giacomo Puccini, with an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on the short story " Madame Butterfly" (1898) by John Lu ...

'' (1904) by

Giacomo Puccini Giacomo Puccini (22 December 1858 29 November 1924) was an Italian composer known primarily for List of compositions by Giacomo Puccini#Operas, his operas. Regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he ...

* ''

Palestrina Palestrina (ancient ''Praeneste''; , ''Prainestos'') is a modern Italian city and ''comune'' (municipality) with a population of about 22,000, in Lazio, about east of Rome. It is connected to the latter by the Via Prenestina. It is built upon ...

'' (1912) by

Hans Pfitzner Hans Erich Pfitzner (5 May 1869 – 22 May 1949) was a German composer, conductor and polemicist who was a self-described anti-modernist. His best known work is the post-Romantic opera ''Palestrina'' (1917), loosely based on the life of the ...

* ''

Káťa Kabanová ''Káťa Kabanová'' (also known in various spellings including ''Katia'', ''Katja'', ''Katya'', and ''Kabanowa'') is an opera in three acts, with music by Leoš Janáček to a libretto by the composer based on ''The Storm (Ostrovsky), The Storm'' ...

'' (1919) by

; The viola d'amore represents the title character. * ''

Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...

'' (1935–1936) by

* ''...?risonanze!...'' (1996–1997) by

Olga Neuwirth Olga Neuwirth (; born 4 August 1968) is an Austrian contemporary classical composer, visual artist and author. She is famed especially for her operas and music theater works, many of which have treated sociopolitical themes. She has emphasized an ...

* ''The Misprision of Transparency'' (2001) by Aaron Cassidy ;Film and Television *

's score for '' On Dangerous Ground'' (1951) makes extensive use of the viola d'amore for the female protagonist's theme. The performer of the instrument Virginia Majewski receives a credit in the film's opening titles. *

's score for '' Little Girl Lost'' a '' Twilight Zone'' (1962) television episode makes beautiful use of the viola d'amore to set a mood. Virginia Majewski performs most evocatively. *

James Newton Howard James Newton Howard (born June 9, 1951) is an American film composer, orchestrator and music producer. He has scored over 100 films and is the recipient of a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and nine nominations for Academy Awards. His film scores ...

's score for ''

After Earth ''After Earth'' is a 2013 American science fiction apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, post-apocalyptic action film, action-adventure film co-produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, who co-wrote the script with Gary Whitta. The film w ...

'' (2013) uses a quartet of violas d'amore to provide eerie soundscapes, performed by Pamela Goldsmith, Roland Kato, Jennie Hansen and Adriana Zoppo. ''Note:'' The papers of Walter Voigtlander contain 142 arrangements and transcriptions of works for the instrument.

Pedagogical works

* ''The Modern Viole d'Amour Player, Systematically Arranged Material for the Studie of the Viole d'Amour for the Violin Player'' by Walter Voigtlander (written before 1914). This is a basic pedagogical method, which starts the player from the most elementary elements of the instrument and progresses to a fair level of difficulty. It contains adaptations of violin and viola exercises by many well-known pedagogues. In addition, the work contains a supplement with many solo works and orchestral soli, by many composers, including his own 42 Studies (see below). Available as part of The Walter Voigtlander Collection of Viola d'Amore Music, ca. 1890–1930 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (see finding aid). * ''42 Studies transcribed for the Viole d'Amour for the Violin Player, and Viola Studies for Self-Study'' by Walter Voigtlander. It has annotations in both German and English. It is the more advanced of his two pedagogical works, being intended, according to Rosenblum,Rosenblum, Myron. “Walter Voigtlander: a true viola d'amore pioneer in America.” Newsletter. Viola d'Amore Society of America V.4, No.1 (May 1980), pp. 12-14. largely for his own use. Exercises from well-known violin and viola method books are extracted and modified for the viola d'amore. Available as part of The Walter Voigtlander Collection of Viola d'Amore Music, ca. 1890–1930 at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (see finding aid). * ''16 Studi-Capricci for Viola d'amore'' by Aurelio Arcidiacono (1915-2000) These are advanced etudes, music eminently suitable for performance. Published by Amore Publications (1990)

Viola d'amore players

* Attilio Ariosti (1666–1729) * Louis-Toussaint Milandre (18th century) *

(1678-1741) *

Farinelli Farinelli (; 24 January 1705 – 16 September 1782) was the stage name of Carlo Maria Michelangelo Nicola Broschi (), a celebrated Italian castrato singer of the 18th century and one of the greatest singers in the history of opera. Farinelli ...

(1705–1782) * Alexandro Marie Antoin Fridzeri (1741-1819) * Chrétien Urhan (1790–1845) * Johann Král (1823–1912) * Louis van Waefelghem (1840–1908) * George Saint-George (1841–1924) * Hugo Walter Voigtlander (1859-1933) * Kate Chaplin (1865–1948) * Carl Valentin Wunderle (1866-1944) *

(1879–1947) * Markus Leo Goldis (1879–?) * Montagu Cleeve (1894–1993) *

(1895-1963) *

Karl Haas Karl Haas (December 6, 1913February 6, 2005) was a German-American classical music radio host, known for his sonorous speaking voice, humanistic approach to music appreciation, and popularization of classical music. He was the host of the class ...

(1900–1970) * Vadim Borisovsky (1900–1972) * Tosca Kramer (1903–1976) * Guido Santórsola (1904–1994) * Emil Seiler (1906–1998) *

Walter Trampler Walter Trampler (August 25, 1915 – September 27, 1997) was a German musician and teacher of the viola and viola d'amore. Born in Munich, he was given his first lessons at age six by his violinist father. While still in his youth, he played well ...

(1915–1997) * Gordon B. Childs (b. 1927) * Alice Harnoncourt (1930–2022) * Mark Childs (b. 1944) * Pamela Goldsmith (b. 1946) * Marcus Thompson (b. 1946) * Michael Kugel (b. 1947) * Jennie Hansen (b. 1948) * Stephen Nachmanovitch (b. 1950) * Alexander Labko * Roy Goodman (b. 1951) * Gunter Teuffel (b. 1955) * Garth Knox (b. 1956) * Richard Fleischman (b. 1963) * Sviatoslav Belonogov (b. 1965) * Rachel Barton Pine (b. 1974) * Julia Rebekka Adler (b. 1978) * James Wannan * Hans Vermeersch (b. 1957) *

Tan Dun Tan Dun (, ; born 18 August 1957) is a Chinese-born American composer and conductor. A leading figure of contemporary classical music, he draws from a variety of Western and Chinese influences, a pairing which has shaped much of his life and mu ...

(b. 1957) * Jasser Haj Youssef (b. 1980) * Leonid Pateyuk (b.1990) * Lucinda Moon * Daniel Thomason (1934-2020) * Myron Rosenblum (b. 1933) * Hans Lauerer * Rüdiger Müller-Nübling * Harry Danks (1912–2001) * Michel Pons * Marianne Kubitschek-Rônez * Margit Urbanetz-Vig * Viera Bilikova * Joseph Pietropaolo (1934–2014) * Frank Bellino (1927-2013) * Joseph Ceo * Wolfram Just (b. 1936) * Thomas Georgi * Elly Winer * Igor Boguslavsky * Karl Stumpf (1907–1988) * Aurelio Arcidiacono (1915–2001) * Howard Boatwright (1912–1999) * Virginia Majewski * Lorenzo Nassimbeni * Frantisek Slavik (1911–1999) * Jacob Glick (1926-1999) * Vazgen Muradian (1921–2018) * Medardo Mascagni (1922–2001) * Artur Paciorkiewicz * John Calabrese (1941–2006) * Jaroslav Horak (1914–2005) * Katherine McGillivray (1970–2006) * Guenter Ojstersek (b. 1930) * Hans-Karl Piltz (b. 1923) * Paul Shirley (1886–1984) * Mary Elliott James (b. 1927) * Jose Blankleder (d. 1998) * Max Tonson-Ward (1918–2015) * Elizabeth Watson * Roland Kato * Claire Kroyt * Charles Martin Loeffler (1861–1935) * Richard Stoelzer * Arnt Martin (b. 1939) * Leon King * Karlina Ivane (b. 1979) * Carlos Solare * Haruko Tanabe * Ines Wein * Adriana Zoppo * Ludwig Hampe * Sibylle Hoedt-Schmidt * Christoph Angerer * Gheorghe & Simona Balan * Christiane Guhl * Simon Steinkühler * Anne Schumann * Adrian Susanin (b. 1956) * Rachel Stott * Helmut Tzschöckell (1933–1999) * Maricel Méndez (b.1985) * Maureen Murchie *Jürgen Lantz *Leszek Kuśmirek * Paul V. Miller (b. 1976) * Nils Økland (musician) (b. 1961) * Hyunjung Choi

References

External links

viola d'amore society of America

Viola d'amore website

List of works featuring the Viola d'amore at IMSLP

Inventory of the Karl Stumpf Viola d'Amore Scores
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Music Division
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- Collection of historical instruments. Website includes pictures and details of some violas d'amore
Viola d'amore info and performing editions

New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Walter Voigtlander Collection of Viola d'Amore music
{{Authority control String instruments with sympathetic strings Viol family instruments

Structure and sound

Range

Use

Scordatura notation

Repertoire

Pedagogical works

Viola d'amore players

See also

References

External links