The Early Violin and Viola

This handbook provides a historical account of the development of the violin viola and their close relatives as well as a practical guide to playing techniques and principles of interpretation. It aims to help performers to play in a historically appropriate style and to guide listeners toward a clearer understanding of the issues that affected string performance during this series'' core period (c.1700-c.1900). Its six detailed case studies which include Bach and Beethoven will assist readers in forging well-grounded period interpretations of major works from the repertory.