William Primrose (1904-1982) was a virtuoso violist of the 20th century, widely regarded as one of the pioneering figures in bringing the viola into the spotlight as a solo instrument. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Primrose displayed prodigious talent from a young age and initially studied violin at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and then at the Guildhall School of Music in London. He later moved to Belgium to continue his studies under the legendary violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, who encouraged him to pursue viola, sensing the potential for Primrose to make his mark with the deeper-voiced instrument.

Throughout his illustrious career, Primrose performed with major orchestras around the world, collaborated with eminent musicians such as Jascha Heifetz and Arturo Toscanini, and made substantial contributions to the viola repertoire, inspiring composers including Bela Bartok and Benjamin Britten to write for the instrument. As an educator, he authored several instructional books and nurtured the next generation of violists through his teaching at prestigious institutions like Indiana University and the Juilliard School. Primrose's legacy is celebrated through recordings, like the extensive "Milestones of a Viola Legend" series, which showcases his masterful interpretations of classical and romantic works, affirming his status as an instrumental pioneer.

Genres

Historic Classical Performance

Viola

Latest Release

William Primrose: Viola Treasures (2024 Remastered Edition)

William Primrose

Album - 12 Tracks - Released July 19, 2024