Yes, Violas Are A Thing

A friend once joked that the only good sound a viola makes is when it's bounced against a dumpster. Funny as that is, this is not true. The viola, a close cousin to the violin, has a slightly deeper sound that sits between the violin and the cello. The viola achieves a deeper sound while still distinctly being a smaller string instrument.

In this piece, the third movement of Brahms Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 9, features violas as the melody in the first section. It's then contrasted by the violins performing the same melody, and the contrast is clear. The violas deliver a stronger, deeper sound, and while the violins can achieve higher notes with a lighter sound, it doesn't compare to the richer, more emotional first section performed by the violas.