Few violists are born. Most have the instrument thrust upon them. In fact, the viola -- the overlooked stepchild of the orchestra’s string section -- is rarely studied as a first instrument at all.

Adam Eccleston: Hello from All Classical Radio. I am Adam Eccleston, guest hosting for WQXR. Today I have a wonderful program of music that features the violin and the viola. We'll highlight both ...

What’s the difference between a violin and a viola? 1. A viola burns longer. 2. A viola holds more beer. 3. You can tune a violin. Ouch. During a conversation with Seattle Symphony Orchestra music ...

A trumpet is more or less a trumpet. A clarinet is a clarinet. But violin or a viola... they are different. More like living breathing things. Hand crafted from wood, from a tree. Every one is ...

Sitting amid the curling blond shavings on his basement work table, R.W. McCluskie picks up his work in progress and considers its source. “It’s quarter-sawn spruce, which means the grain runs up and ...

Update Wednesday, June 25, 2014: A representative from Sotheby's tells NPR that the instrument did not sell "at this time." Wednesday, Sotheby's auction house plans to announce the sale of a rare ...

Doug Cox works on a viola in his studio in West Brattleboro. Cox uses maple that grew nearby for all his instruments. Doug Cox has been making world-class stringed instruments for more than 50 years.