• 26 Mar 2026, 6 p.m., Zoom, Online, Register here

Free online workshop open to composers of all levels.

Join Garth Knox for an exploration of writing for the viola. Through a hands-on, practical session, he will introduce simple and effective ideas for composing for strings, with special attention to the unique sounds and possibilities of the viola.

6-7pm including approx. 40 min talk with a Q&A session at the end. Please note that although we try to wrap-up opensound sessions by 7pm, they often run over by 5-10 mins.

Biography 

Garth Knox (1956) is at the forefront of the new music scene in several different fields, both as a player and as a composer. Drawing on his vast experience as viola player of the Arditti Quartet (1990 – 1998) and the Ensemble InterContemporain, (1983 - 1990), two of the best-known international contemporary music groups in the world, and his close collaboration with most of the leading composers of today, he has become a unique composer-performer of music of many different styles, ranging from minimalist understatement to the cutting edge of new techniques and new technologies.

More recently thanks to his interest in the viola d’amore and the medieval fiddle, his repertoire has opened up to the music of the past (medieval, baroque) which he persuasively brings into the present. His Irish roots enable him to dialogue with traditional music without complexes. A natural improviser, and an intuitive composer, his music often has elements of innovative instrumental theatre.

Garth Knox’s solo and ensemble pieces have been played all over Europe, USA and Japan. He has received commissions from the Kronos Quartet (USA), the Festival d’Automne in Paris, Proquartet (France), Concorde Ensemble (Ireland), Lucillin Ensemble (Luxembourg), Tokyo International Viola Competition (Japan), Camarata Variabile (Switzerland), and Radio France.

© 2025 by Garth Knox

Zoom's closed captions feature will be enabled if you require any further information or if you need to contact us about access requirements please email info@sound-scotland.co.uk

For more information and to register for the session