Credits:

Hiyori Togawa, Lilit Grigorian

Description:

The viola is an instrument that is often regarded as a "low-profile presence" in an orchestra, rarely treated as a solo instrument, and tending to be buried in the middle between the violin and cello. In the 20th century, the viola finally began to attract attention when Hindemith, Bartók, and Walton wrote works for the viola. In the 20th century, Hindemith, Bartók, and Walton, among others, wrote works for viola. However, the 19th century was not without masterpieces for the viola, including the beautiful "Viola Sonata" written by the 15-year-old Mendelssohn, Onslow's elegant Cello Sonata (arranged for viola), and Kalivoda's "Nocturne," with its simple and serene melody. These three pieces are wonderful examples of the viola's tonal characteristics. The viola player Hiyori Togawa, who is of Australian and Japanese descent, is a prizewinner at the Brahms International Competition held in 2014. Naxos Japan