nburkemdx (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

that is very very true

Mecinimi (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

As a violist and a double bassist I find this interesting. I do not think he did terrible but at heart he is a violinist. It is interesting to see him play the viola but his style of playing doesn't make the best use of its tone.And in response to earlier posts this is quite usual. There is a point when you are at the peak (or near) of an instruments full potential and you want to expand on it with other isntruments.I have seen virtuoso level violists play violin for a while too.

Frano911 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

boring

Pikkon22 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

because there is a greater chance of getting a job in a orchestra if you play the viola :)

nburkemdx (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I actually know a couple violinists that attempt viola and it almost seems to be just to say they could, but I don't want to have to generalize that violinists feel a need to prove themselves better across the board, but yet the rivalry continues.

davidhackston (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Just to clarify: my question was not "Why play the viola?" (I play the viola), but "Why do successful violinists feel a need to attempt to play the viola?" No viola players I know attempt to play the violin. As for posting a video of myself playing this, is that the only way I can have a valid opinion about this performance? As the old saying goes, you don't have to be a cow to know whether milk is sour.

davidhackston (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Though refreshing to know that all people listen to music in different ways, performances have to adhere to certain standards. "Mauling" is perhaps an exaggeration; "not together" is fact.A few examples: 1) 3rd bar after 48, G# is too sharp; 4th bar first E is very flat and as for tone quality? 2) At 49, first 2 bars not together with orch. (though Walton marks it specifically "in tempo"). 3) 3rd bar double stops out of tune. Also, V's interpretation of "pochiss. rall." rather tasteless.

nburkemdx (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

yea you'll get those, I'm a college sophomore and have been playing for 11 or 12 years now and I had to explain over and over... the best part is when musically challenged people say "so why play viola when you could just play violin"

KoLIdiot (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Let's be clear what about your statements was unfair. You said he was "mauling" and it was "not together". Maxim Vengerov plays the viola like he plays the violin (fingers, facial expressions, bow, etc.)there is little to nothing wrong with the way he "butchers" this piece. Every player and orchestra in every recording sounds different, so you cannot say it is bad.Lastly, it is true that violinists are not automatic virtuoso violists, but you give Vengerov less credit than he deserves.

davidhackston (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Furthermore, one has to wonder what his motivation for recording this piece can possibly have been. Mr Vengerov has a stellar career and, I'm sure, a pretty busy concert schedule, so *why* do this? Asking this question is not pretentious.Also, on a technical level, this 90 sec clip is out of tune and not together with the orchestra. That's not even my opinion, it's just a statement of fact.