What viola do they play?

Written by Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins and Kevin Berdine

When you hear a violist, ever wonder "what viola are they playing?" We have compiled a small list of violas that famous musicians have played or continue to play.

Violists

William Primrose

1735 Nicolo Gagliano Violin
"ex-Primrose" Amati, now played by Roberto Diaz

1697 "ex-Lord Harrington" Guarneri, now called "ex-Primrose"

1950 William Moennig Jr. now played by Peter Pas

Yuri Bashmet

1758 Paolo Testore

Ida Kavafian

image from Curtis Institute of Music

1751 Guadagnini Violin

1987 Peter and Wendela Moes Viola

Atar Arad

images from his website

Nicolo Amati

Helen Callus

Gabrielle Kundert-Copy of the Primrose Amati

Roberto Diaz

ex-Primrose Amati

Kim Kashkashian

1617 Brothers Amati

Paul Neubauer

Nobuko Imai

Peter and Wendela Moes

Nils Monkemeyer

Peter Erben

Melia Watras

Samuel Zygmuntowicz Viola

Lionel Tertis 

1717 Domenico Montagnana (17 1/8 inches!) 

Lawrence Cocker "Tertis Model" viola

Are you a violist or interested in becoming one? Take a look at our Fine Violas!