Strings Sessions: Paul Neubauer Performs 3 Solo Viola Pieces

Violist Paul Neubauer stopped by the Strings studio, during a break from performing at the Music@Menlo festival, to perform three works by Alan Hovhaness and Joan Tower. Neubauer starts with Hovhaness’ 1944 work “Chahagir” for solo viola, and finished the Session with two works by Tower, who wrote the two pieces nearly a decade apart: “Simply Purple,” which she wrote for Neubauer as a birthday gift to herself, and “Purple Rush.”

[@ryoumeda4361]

The sound is incredible. THIS IS THE VIOLA!

[@c.syde65]

I'm so glad that you included some of the viola's higher notes in this video. I always feel like people neglect the viola's high notes in favour of its low notes. I understand that the viola is not a violin. But that doesn't necessarily mean that people need to concentrate on making them sound different by neglecting the violin's lower notes and neglecting the viola's higher notes. It sucks that there aren't any videos to my knowledge that feature an ensemble of violists playing together. Since I've always preferred violas over violins.

[@lailan5483]

As a violist I agree with you! Viola needs to be appreciated more, low or high notes, all rich and beautiful.

[@lindachene5006]

I agree, but consider this, when I am struggling to reach the high notes, I feel like saying “if I wanted to play this high, I would be playing a violin.“ I am devoted to the viola sound even in the high ranges, but they don’t give us enough low notes either.

[@nellyd9280]

C. Syde65, I have come across a viola ensemble. Let me check youtube.... I believe it is a violist that started it.

[@nellyd9280]

" C. Slyde65, there is tertis viola ensemble. Marc Sabbah, violist recorded Bruch Romance with a viola orchestra.... And the actual viola ensemble I came across....cannot find it😅😅

[@emmaaxelson7821]

There are lots of viola ensemble videos

[@lindachene5006]

Wow -what a sound. Contralto for sure.

[@Asalashjari]

wow amazing! I'm going to take out my viola from its case after months and play these pieces right now!

[@martincalvo7143]

disfruto mucho de este artista, muchas gracias

[@madisyngolab330]

Very impressive! Also great for reference I needed for a book character who plays viola!

[@majadara]

lovely articulation and grace with power!

[@Mopantsu]

And this folks is why machines can never replace humans. There is no AI in the world that can or probably will ever beat the human intonations of a live played instrument. Especially one in the hands of a masterful musician.

[@macleadg]

Ok, there’s gotta be a “Purple Rain” joke in here somewhere… But seriously, these are gorgeous pieces. It’s nice to hear new music that’s listenable, playable by mere mortals, and doesn’t rely on gimmicks or special techniques.

[@wenamechainsama6867]

❤

[@javierportero]

Amazing playing, is that Paul Doktor's viola?

[@tanwen7484]

I'm curious too! Does anyone have any idea?

[@killer79957]

Judging by the proportioning of the upper bout and the shape of the lower and C bouts, along with the shape and positioning of the f holes, this looks to be an Antonio Brenzi influenced instrument. Maybe a copy. The varnish is too pristine for it to be an original 17th century Brenzi. Lawrence Power plays an original 1610 Brenzi viola.

[@andrewlaird977]

Paul Nuebauer actually plays on a cut down AH Amati

[@DevilViolinist]

@@killer79957 That's not a Brenzi viola, sorry to say. It is indeed the Brothers Amati viola that someone else mentioned. The varnish is "too pristine" because it received a protective coating of clear oil varnish long after it's creation and sometime before it made it into Paul Neubauer's hands. There's an article in the Strad Magazine about some expensive antique instruments in need of a "major aesthetic facelift" and this was one of them.

[@tyrunwilloughbyjr.8220]

2:30 4:00 11:07

[@devinrobinson3229]

Thats a small viola

[@joshablatzheim9075]

The size is not the importance. The Sound is it,it does not matter if big or toll,or even small. Mine is 41,4 cm tall. All the beloved best to you 🎻🎶🍀🍀🍀 Greetings from Europe 🇪🇺 "German Swiss French Swiss Border Area"🇩🇪🇨🇵🇨🇭, Lörrach 🇩🇪 Your Opera-Tenor-Violist Josha 🙋‍♂️😯= for singing🎻= this time à la Viola 🎶🌈

[@pietrofabris7268]

Ok, but it’s not live.