Are Violinists Better Than Violists at Playing Viola?

Violinists such as Maxim Vengerov and Pinchas Zukerman have performed on the viola to critical acclaim, but in this video I explain why their playing is different from full-time violists and apply it to the broader question: are violinists better than violists at playing viola?

If you’re wondering why I chose to use an extended metaphor about Martian food, it’s because I felt like ethnic food being prepared by non-ethnic people was a perfect metaphor but I didn’t want to use actual races in case it offended anyone. Sorry if anyone watching this is actually from Mars and got offended.

Also in case anyone is wondering why my brother went on viola to Allstate twice when he mainly performed as a violinist, our state’s system is you audition for a district orchestra first and then qualify for state. He auditioned on both violin and viola for district and he would have qualified for state on both, but he won principal viola at district both years so he felt like he couldn’t turn that down. He also went to state a different year as a violinist and placed highly (I don’t remember exactly but I think it was top 10)

Background Music: Brahms F minor Sonata Mvt. 1 and 2 performed by Amihai Grosz:    • Amihai Grosz plays Brahms F minor Sonata  

In case you want to listen to more of a piece you heard in this video, here are links to the original videos I got them from in order of appearance:

Maxim Vengerov, Sibelius Violin Concerto:    • Sibelius Violin Concerto - Maxim Veng...  

Maxim Vengerov, Walton Viola Concerto:    • Maxim Vengerov plays Walton Viola con...  

Antoine Tamestit, Walton Viola Concerto:    • Walton: Bratschenkonzert ∙ hr-Sinfoni...  

Pinchas Zukerman, Brahms Zwei Gesange for Voice, Viola, and Piano:    • Chamber Music Society: Celebration of...  

Amihai Grosz, Brahms Zwei Gesange for Voice, Viola, and Piano:    • Two Songs for Alt, Viola and Piano, o...  

Julian Rachlin, Schubert Arpeggione Sonata:    • Violin Recital / Julian Rachlin @  Li...  

Julian Rachlin, Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto:    • Видео  

Julian Rachlin Interview:    • An Interview with Julian Rachlin: On ...  

Lawrence Power, Rameau Piéces de Clavecin en Concerts:    • West Wycombe Chamber Music Festival -...