Victor Fournelle-Blain plays Bach on a 220 year old Amati viola | Musical Moment

Victor Fournelle-Blain, Principal Violist of the TSO, joins us from his home in Montreal with the Prelude from J.S. Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2 on his 1703 Amati viola. At almost 220 years old, this viola, generously gifted to the TSO by Dr. William Waters, was made only about 15 years before Bach wrote this piece. Probably composed between 1717–1723, Bach’s Cello Suites are some of the best known solo compositions ever written. Victor loves them so much he has transcribed this Prelude it to play on his prized viola.

You don’t need an instrument as old or as precious as the Amati viola to play music. If you took lessons as a child and gave it up, or if you’ve always wanted to learn an instrument, celebrate “National Buy A Musical Instrument Day” tomorrow, Friday, May 22 by kindling your inner musician and get playing!

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