This study is based on a series of conversations with William Primrose in the last years before his death in 1982. David Dalton discussed with him many aspects related to performing on and teaching the viola. The result of these interviews aims to provide advice for the student on the technicalities of playing the viola: on holding the instrument, bowing, tone, fingering and practising, and gives illustrations and music examples. As well as giving technical guidelines, the two violists discuss the position of their instrument in music history and cover topics of repertoire, notably the question of transcriptions and the need for contemporary masterpieces in the light of the limited heritage of "valid" compositions for the viola. There are insights into the performance of the concertos by Bartok and Walton, with which Primrose was closely associated. Advice is also given on the art of performing and of demeanour on stage, on competitions, on recordings and on preparing for a career. The work is intended to be of interest to both players and teachers of the viola and of other string instruments, both amateur and professional, and to musicians and music lovers in general.
