My Viola Is a Porsche—More or Less
Masumi Per Rostad of the Pacifica Quartet on the finer points of his 1770 Joseph Hill
Player: Masumi Per Rostad of the Pacifica Quartet
Instrument: 1770 Joseph Hill viola, London, 16 3/8-inch body with brown varnish.
Condition: The body has some repaired old wormholes and cigarette burns. It was antiqued to look older when it was made, which is funny to think of 241 years later!
Is this your primary instrument? Yes
How does it compare to your previous primary instrument (and what was that viola)?
It is smaller, older, and more focused. I love my big, modern Marten Cornelissen viola (17-inch body, made in 1978), but it feels like a Cadillac. I prefer a Porsche for quartet playing—well, maybe a Subaru in this case. Still, I prefer a responsive viola.
Can you compare your viola to another?
I like my viola, but I’m not particularly attached to it. I would love a great old Italian instrument, but I haven’t found anything reasonably sized and priced. Violin players have it soooo much easier!
What gift does this instrument bring to your playing that cannot be found in any other instrument? How does this instrument inspire you as a performer?
I’m not particularly romantic about instruments, since it can be confusing to think that way about such a big financial investment. I want a healthy viola and bow to make the strings work the way I want them to. I play about 100 concerts a year, all over the world, and I want professional tools that reliably respond to what I put into them, wherever I happen to open my case. Call me a control freak—or call me a string player!
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