A small bodied viola made by one of England's better known makers, Richard Duke. The string length of this instrument is virtually identical to that of the modern violin. Violas have been made in different sizes since the 16th century governed by having to have a big enough body and still be manageable for the player. This instrument is an `alto' rather than a `tenor' violin, more suited for higher viola parts. One of the first instruments acquired for the Collection: bought by Professor John Donaldson for the University Music Classroom from Thomas Glen, the Edinburgh bagpipe maker in 1855.
The bow in these recordings is the performer's own by Lapierre, Mirecourt, probably mid 20th century
Previous ownership: Probably the `tenor violin' by Duke purchased by Professor John Donaldson for the Music Classroom, University of Edinburgh, from Thomas Glen, 2 North Bank Street, 14 November 1855 for £3/15/0.
(Reid Collection).
EUCHMI Acquisition number: (334)
Technical description: Soundboard of spruce; back, ribs, head, neck and tail-gut protector of sycamore; endpin and pegs of fruitwood; fingerboard and tailpiece of ebony; chin-rest (modern) of cedar. Soundboard grain is of variable width, wide in the centre, reducing towards the edges and wide again nearest the edges. Golden brown varnish. Purfling of ebony/sycamore/ebony. Plugged hole under the tailpiece for attaching soundboard to the bottom block. Arch of soundboard 20.5mm. The ribs have curly grain with a light figure. Lower bouts covered by one rib. One piece back of medium depth figure rising from right to left; back arch 18mm. Plugged holes on the back, used as a decorative as well as practical feature - 2 plugs at the bottom, 2 at the top and one from the heel. The neck and head are of one piece, the neck 132 long; the fingerboard 277 long, 25.6 wide at the nut, 49 wide at the bottom. There is an 8mm thick added piece on the heel between the neck and the back.
Inscriptions: Handwritten label "Rich Duke / In Holborn Londini / fecit 1779". Stamped on the back at the top "DUKE. / LONDON". Stamped at the bottom on the ribs "DUKE". Decorative features: Inlaid mother-of-pearl diamond on tailpiece.
Playing accessories: chin-rest, metal mute.
With shaped black-painted wooden case with arched top, lined with green baize; with key.
Faults: Some damage to the treble f-hole.
Repair history: The upper treble rib has cracked and been repaired.
Performance characteristics: An outstanding English viola of the classical period: very responsive, with warm, dark tone.
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© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.
This page updated: 29.10.08