Musician Directory
7 famous violists
Organized with dates, nationality, and key career highlights, along with sources. Current posts are as of November 2026.
Lionel Tertis Lionel Tertis
1876–1975 · UK · Violist
Internationally renowned as a viola soloist; designed the "Tertis model"
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
William Primrose William Primrose
1904–1982 · UK · Violist
Commissioned Bartók's Viola Concerto, premiered it in 1949
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Yuri Bashmet Yuri Bashmet
1953– · Russia · Violist
Won the 1976 Munich ARD Competition, founded the Moscow Soloists
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org
Tabea Zimmermann Tabea Zimmermann
1966– · Germany · Violist
Won the 1983 Maurice Vieux International Viola Competition
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org
Antoine Tamestit Antoine Tamestit
1979– · France · Violist
Plays the 1672 Stradivari viola "Gustav Mahler"
Richard Yongjae O'Neill Richard Yongjae O'Neill
1978– · USA · Violist
2021 Grammy Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Currently: Violist of the Takács Quartet (as of 2026)
Sources: ko.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org
Timothy Ridout Timothy RidoutRising musicians
1995– · UK · Violist
Selected as a Wigmore Hall Associate Artist (five years) in March 2026
Currently: Professor of viola at the Royal Academy of Music (RAM), UK (starting autumn 2026, as of November 2026)
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, ram.ac.uk