Joan Tower: Wild Purple: Viola Solo

Wild Purple was written in 1998 by Joan Tower for solo Viola, and showcases the expressive and technical capabilities of the instrument. The title derives from the composer’s belief that the deepresonance and luscious timbre of the Viola embodies the colour purple. The “wildness” derives from the energetic and virtuosic nature of the work.

Joan Tower (b. 1938) is a contemporary American composer, pianistand conductor. She has become renowned for her bold and spirited compositions. The New Yorker has described her as “one of the most successful woman composers of all time”, and she is still in demand for commissions today.