Turning to the Dark Side- Writing for the Viola

Since resuming my studies at UHI, I've been exploring  the possibilities of using the viola as a solo instrument in a folk/traditional context : although I started out as a fiddle player, my formal training was all on the viola, and it seemed to be a shame to leave the beautiful instrument I own gathering dust in the corner of my living room.

As my compositional output has gathered pace I've started trying out the viola in folk sessions: I've discovered (through both trial and error) that utilising this much-mocked bigger brother of the violin is not quite as straightforward as playing everything down the octave/in 4th position/in C major.....

There is an inherent melancholic quality to the timbre and character of the instrument  that invites the use of more imagination in key selection, whilst the acoustic properties of the larger body require the performer to use much heftier bow articulation and a simpler approach to ornamentation. Greater use of rhythmic rather than melodic elements is required in an session environment - this does, however, open up new possibilities to explore double stopping, drones and altered bowing techniques.

Look North?

world-music-instrument-hardanger-fiddle

I've recently started attending a lovely Nordic session in Glasgow, and have discovered that Scandinavian folk music most definitely does lend itself to the viola. The sonorities, style and keys  of the music are very much suited to the instrument : there is frequent use of minor keys, particularly D and G; double stopping and drone embellishments definitely enhance the character of the music, whilst most of the higher-pitched melodies are easily doubled an octave lower (more so than Scottish/Irish tunes, which tend to be in much sharper keys, and therefore do not sit under the hand quite so comfortably). The traditional Hardanger (top photo) fiddle in Norway and the Nykelharpa (below) in Sweden both utilise drone strings and  a wide tonal range, which probably explains why the modern viola is such an effective instrument for Nordic music.
Modern bands such as Nordic fiddler's Bloc, Väsen, and Sver all feature the viola in their lineups.
A fantastic performance from Nordic Fiddler's Bloc here, showing off the rich 'C' drone of the viola:
https://youtu.be/CuR6Oc5rWx8?list=PLobwB0DLIw63f40jPJ6P8aYRjesHDMkkB

Väsen performing at the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton, Canada- the viola providing a fantastic counter-melody to the nykelharpa:
https://youtu.be/uA3-EoYlOcs?list=PLk11FImlQMJnRrRi1R5qKxWw4a4ja__0t

A track from Danish band Dreamer's Circus played on the "clog fiddle" ( which really was made out of an old clog!) - a perfect key and style to transfer on to the viola:
https://youtu.be/XQTcP_4Q1lk?list=PLtFpFXUsXyOgI9NnVHHR3mpgo_uLKjlNH

And a live recording (including myself) from the Fika Nordic session in Glasgow :
https://soundcloud.com/morag-currie-342215588/fika-session
(Fiddlers: Sally Simpson, Libby McGugan and Lachlan Green)