What Carol Cook Plays
The viola I play was made in 1810 by Samuel Gilkes, an English maker. It came to me by chance as I was not really on the lookout for an instrument at the time. I was studying in Oberlin and my teacher, Roland Vamos, had heard it being tried out by a member of the Pacifica Quartet, who decided it was too big. So Roland got it sent to Oberlin so I could try it. I loved it as soon as I played it. It has a very clear sound and projects very easily, and yet there is a rich and mellow quality, too. I tried a number of different violas at the time and found nothing that I would consider swapping it for.

I find that violas have very distinct personalities, much more so than cellos or violins, probably due to the huge variety of shapes and sizes, and I was very lucky to find one that suited me so well without the endless search that a lot of string players have.

My bow is by Arthur Bultitude, also English. It has a silver Tudor rose on the frog. I’ve played on it for ten years, so I feel I know it pretty well. I would ideally like to find a bow that is a little more refined and elegant, but my search is continuing.

I use Dominant strings on my viola. I have experimented with others, but I keep coming back to them as I think they sound the best on my instrument.

I have recently discovered Tartini Silkier rosin, which I think is fantastic. I had no idea rosin could make such a difference, but it was like having a new bow with a smoother, indeed “silkier” sound, and I have been telling every string player I meet to try it.
—Carol Cook