When my then-adolescent nephew Philip took more than a passing interest in the viola, my heart leapt at the thought of having a family member who played one of my favorite instruments. I'm a mere pianist, and I've always been impressed with anyone who can tame a member of the string family because such a feat requires patience and devotion on a level unknown to most mortals. I wanted to give him a tune that might coax his abilities. My hope is that this piece might become increasingly emotional even as over time, the prowess of the player surpasses the demands of the simple notes on these pages. Voilà! stretches a beginning violist's musicianship.