Viola - what’s the joke?

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

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