Viola

The Philadelphians on WRTI: Salonen Conducts 'Also Sprach Zarathustra'— Beyond 'A Space Odyssey'

Gregg Whiteside

Join us on Sunday, August 15th at 1 PM on WRTI 90.1, and Monday, August 16th at 7 PM on WRTI HD-2 to hear Esa Pekka-Salonen conduct The Philadelphia…

Arts Desk

That Special Tone of the Viola, Which Stars in Berlioz's Harold in Italy

Susan Lewis

Early works for solo viola were often written for violinists, who also happened to play viola. Today, that music, such as Berlioz's Harold in Italy, puts…

Nadia Sirota wants contemporary classical music to feel approachable. "There's no chance it'll disappoint a new listener, but people do need a way in," she says.

WRTI Picks from NPR Music

Nadia Sirota On Making Music Accessible (Even When It's Weird)

NPR Staff

The violist wants more people to know and love contemporary classical music. She speaks with Rachel Martin about her Peabody Award-winning podcast and latest collaboration with composer Nico Muhly.

Arts Desk

Why Play The Viola? The Philadelphia Orchestra's CJ Chang Has The Answer

Susan Lewis

Larger than a violin, but smaller than a cello, the viola sits in the middle of the orchestra, providing a critical inner voice to orchestral works.…

David Aaron Carpenter plays the 'Macdonald' Stradivarius viola at Sotheby's auction house for NPR in April.

WRTI Picks from NPR Music

What's Worth $45 Million — Or More? One Viola

Anastasia Tsioulcas

The sale of the most expensive musical instrument in history could be announced Wednesday. And it's a viola. (Will the viola jokes stop now?)