Viola - what’s the joke?
01/23/25 • 30 min
Why is the viola the butt of so many jokes? Does the viola deserve to be mocked, or is it the unsung hero of the orchestra? YolanDa Brown is joined by Martin and Minn to unpack the origins of viola jokes and demystify why violas so often get the short end of the stick - or should we say bow? But for Martin and Minn the viola’s status as a comedic goldmine sometimes has wider implications that aren’t necessarily positive, for example putting people off learning the instrument, affecting the way composers write for it, and annoying viola players on a regular basis. If you like a good viola joke, you’ll find plenty in this episode, proving that the viola can absolutely play first fiddle in the world of comedy...
#PitchMeClassical
Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
TikTok: @lporchestra
Bluesky: @lporchestra
Facebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why is the viola the butt of so many jokes? Does the viola deserve to be mocked, or is it the unsung hero of the orchestra? YolanDa Brown is joined by Martin and Minn to unpack the origins of viola jokes and demystify why violas so often get the short end of the stick - or should we say bow? But for Martin and Minn the viola’s status as a comedic goldmine sometimes has wider implications that aren’t necessarily positive, for example putting people off learning the instrument, affecting the way composers write for it, and annoying viola players on a regular basis. If you like a good viola joke, you’ll find plenty in this episode, proving that the viola can absolutely play first fiddle in the world of comedy...
#PitchMeClassical
Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
TikTok: @lporchestra
Bluesky: @lporchestra
Facebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
All classical music sounds the same, right?
What makes classical music sound like classical music? And what does the word ‘classical’ mean anyway? YolanDa Brown is joined by Kristina and Mark to give their take on these big questions. They do their best to figure out where the line is between classical and non-classical music, whether film music is classical, and what makes classical music classical. And they attempt to pin down why the word ‘classical’ came to be used to describe this genre of music in the first place. Plus, Mark and Kristina each share three recommendations that they think demonstrate the breadth and variety of classical music - pieces that are ideal for anyone new to it!
#PitchMeClassical
Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
TikTok: @lporchestra
Bluesky: @lporchestra
Facebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Ba-ba-ba-baaaa… Does Beethoven 5 have the best opening?
It’s one of the most famous pieces of classical music, but why? The beginning of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony has an iconic status, but is it one of the best openings to a piece of music? YolanDa, Tom and Cassi dig deeper into those famous four notes and along the way they share other opening bars which are just as recognisable, arresting, or scary. It’s a tricky passage to play in sync with other players, so they discuss tips and tricks to ensure it gets off to a successful start. Plus, in the quiz Tom makes a fruit-related promise he’s surely going to live to regret...
#PitchMeClassical
Instagram: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
TikTok: @lporchestra
Bluesky: @lporchestra
Facebook: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
YouTube: @londonphilharmonicorchestra
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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