Viola profonda
The Viola Profonda is a bowed string instrument with four strings, which fills the space in tenor-range between the Viola and the Violoncello with own sound colour. It reforms the usual classical string quartet and completes the idea of classical music theory of having four separate voices with own sound colour each in every instrument-category as known in the choir, the woodwinds and the brass family:
| Voice | traditional string quartet | reformed string quartet) |
|---|---|---|
| Soprano | First Violin | Violin |
| Alto | Second Violin | Viola |
| Tenor | Viola | Viola Profonda |
| Bass | Violoncelo | Violoncelo |
History
The Viola Profonda was invented by the bolivian composer, director and instrument-developer Gerardo Yañez and has been presented officially the first time on november 2nd 2008 at the Thomas-Kirche, Leipzig-Germany. .[1] The unique specimen was patented in 2007.
Tuning
Its pitch is one octave below the violin and the strings are pitched as follows:
- G-D-A-e'
or
- F-C-G-d'
The notation is either in G-clef (sounds one octave deeper than written). or in C-clef (sounds one fourth deeper than written).
Playing
The standard way of playing the Viola Profonda is resting on the shoulder (as a Violin).