This book investigates the technical and artistic philosophy of William Primrose, one of the most influential violists of the twentieth century. David Dalton, a former student and colleague of Primrose, utilizes a series of recorded interviews conducted shortly before the artist's death in 1982 to document his pedagogical approach. The text serves as a comprehensive record of Primrose's views on the instrument's role in classical music and his specific methods for achieving technical mastery.

Experts and music educators frequently cite this work as a foundational text for serious students of the viola. Readers often note that the conversational format provides an accessible yet rigorous look at the technical demands of the instrument.