ORCHESTRAL TRAINING FORUM GINASTERA – VARIACIONES CONCERTANTES,OP. 23,VIOLA VARIATION By Randy Kelly second, a scherzo, presents the dynamic is marked “mezzo ; the third, pronounced- forte,” care should be taken not This set of orchestral variations ly dramatic, offers the viola. to force the sound. It needs to was commissioned by the The fourth is a canonic varia- be played dramatically with a Society of Friends of Music in tion for the and , pure and lyrical quality. In the Buenos Aires. It was introduced while the seventh presents the second measure after rehearsal in that city on June 2, 1953, in music of pas- thirty two, I have printed two Igor Markevitch conducting. toral character. Now we get a different fingerings. The choice The composer has explained recapitulation of the theme in of either is up to the individual that this work, while having “a double bass and harp, following player’s personal taste and abili- subjective Argentine character” which the concluding variation, ty. In the fourth measure after does not utilize any basic folk- in rondo form, is presented by rehearsal thirty two, make sure loristic material. “The compos- full . that all chords and double stops er,” he says, “achieves an are not played marcato. They Argentine atmosphere through The music of these variations need to be played with defini- the employment of his own the- was used for two ballets. One, tion, but with a rich and matic and rhythmic elements.” entitled Tender Night, was pro- cantabile sound, focusing on duced by the New York City direction and phrasing. While performed without inter- Ballet on January 20, 1960, with Problems arise in lyrical playing ruption, the composition is in choreography by John Taras. and intonation when perform- twelve sections: Theme; Another, called Surazo, had cho- ing the double stop passage Interlude; Giocoso; Scherzo; reography by Patrico Bunster, after rehearsal thirty three. In Dramatic Variation; Canonic and was mounted in Santiago, the first measure following Variations; Rhythmic Variation; Chile, on July 13, 1961. rehearsal thirty three, the fifth Perpetual Motion; Pastoral; should be played with the sec- Interlude; Theme Reprise; and In the Variaciones ond finger. Do Not shift to the Rondo-Finale. Concertantes,Op. 23 the fifth fifth after playing the octave, movement entitled Variazione but instead reach! Try to play The theme, on which the varia- Drammatica is for viola. The without breaks between the tions are based, is heard in cello movement should be chords. The second and third and harp. This is followed by an approached with an improvisa- measures after rehearsal thirty interlude for strings before the tional style, but staying within four are to be played on the A variations begin. Each variation the structure of the composi- string to help with clarity and features a different instrument tion. I have found that this par- timbre. Always remember not to or instruments, and the person- ticular solo is often overplayed, overplay this solo. Due to the ality of each variation is derived and that one should approach nature of the music, this is an from the character and quality the fortes as full, rather than easy trap to fall into. Often of these instruments. The first loud. One has to be careful not dynamics are thought of as loud variation has a jubilant charac- to force the sound. In the or soft. I would like to suggest ter, highlighting the flute; the beginning of the viola solo, the that instead we think of them as

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 65 full or light. When one thinks violist a real chance to shine, We want to hear from you! Send your of a full sound as opposed to a and display the character of our viola news and photos (with captions) loud noise, they are less likely instrument. by regular mail, fax or email to Kathy to press and force the sound. In Steely, JAVS Editor, School of Music, conclusion, this is one of the – Randy Kelly, Principal Viola, Baylor University, PO Box 97408, few orchestral solos in the stan- Pittsburgh Symphony Waco, TX 76798, Fax (254) 710-3574, dard repertoire which gives the [email protected].

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 66 MEET THE SECTION DETROIT SYMPHONY VIOLAS

Seated in Front Row: Catherine Compton, Caroline Coade, Shanda Lowery Top Row Standing: Hart Hollman, Alexander Mishnaevski (principal), James VanValkenburg (Assistant Principal), Glenn Mellow, Manchin Zhang, Theresa Rudolph, Han Zheng.

A Short History of acting Principal, and 12 as there were only four in 1906. the DSO Viola Section Assistant Principal. There were just 10 through the 20’s and 30’s and then in 1944 Since the DSO began in 1887, The section has several alumni the DSO planned a concert at more than 82 people have played playing in other major sym- Carnegie Hall in which they in the viola section. Among the phonies. Robert Barnes is in billed themselves as “The largest 14 principal violists, Nathan Boston, Paul Silver in Pittsburgh orchestra in the world.” That year Gordon had the longest tenure, and Vince Lionti at the Met. they hired extra players for all sec- 27 years, playing from 1958 Darrell Barnes went to tions, including two violists, who through the 1984-5 season. The Philadelphia, then St. Louis, is were let go by the next year. One first woman to join the section now free-lance. Anne Mischakoff of these was Abe Levine, who son was Eugenia Staszewski, who left to teach, and is now at the David later joined the DSO cello played from 1943 to 1986-7. The University of Illinois. Emil section, and his son Daniel joined violist with the longest tenure of Simonel still plays in the cellists in Dallas. Twelve vio- all is David Ireland, who recently Chautauqua. lists appear again in 1952 and retired with 48 years of service, Most of the time there are 11 1953. After this the twelfth comes 1952 to 1999-00, two years as members of the section, though and goes, but the eleventh stays

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 67 on board. Again there were 12 in been a featured soloist with many Committee, in charge of the play- 1957 and 1958, 1965, 1967, in Michigan and on the ers’ chair search and similar mat- 1968, and lately in 1980, 1983, East Coast, and performed solo ters. Cathy and her life partner and 1984. In the 80’s it was Antal recitals on many artist series in Dan Butts enjoy gardening, and Dorati who insisted that the extra the area. He plays Principal Viola sharing their lives with two cats. money be spent to increase the with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Cathy enjoys playing chamber string sections. Symphony. Hart teaches privately music and singing in a small choir and is on the faculty of the Utah of fellow DAR members. During This season we have three new Music Festival. Outside the her sabbatical year she commis- tenured players, Theresa Rudolph, orchestra Hart’s interests include sioned and premiered “Three Shanda Lowery, and Han Zheng, triathlon, marathons, mountain Carols for Viola, , and and one more retiree, Phil Porbe, climbing, backpacking, sailing Chorus,” by Hiram Titus. who played from 1964 to 2001-2. and photography. There will be an audition this Violist Caroline Coade joined the spring for this eleventh position. A native Detroiter, Cathy Detroit Symphony Orchestra in – Cathy Compton. Compton began study in violin September 1996. Before coming class and soon after in private les- to Detroit, Coade was a substitute At a Glance: (in order of photo sons with Ara Zerounian. for the New York Philharmonic, appearance) Assigned the viola for string quar- the Philadelphia Orchestra, and tets while still in grade school, she held positions with Concerto Hart Hollman, son of concert studied both instruments until a Soloists Chamber Orchestra, pianist parents, began piano study viola scholarship to the Opera Company of Philadelphia, at the age of three and violin Interlochen Arts Academy led her Santa Fe Opera, and Tchaikovsky study at the age of seven. After to play “All viola, all the time.” Chamber Orchestra. A San Diego seven years of study with David Among the institutions that native, Coade began taking Madison (associate concertmaster shaped her career are Interlochen Suzuki violin lessons at age 6, but of the Philadelphia Orchestra) he Arts Camp and Academy, Cass switched to viola at age 14. She switched to the viola because his Technical High School, Oberlin spent her senior year of high hands were too big for the violin. College and the University of school at the Interlochen Arts At this time he began study with Michigan School of Music, where Academy, and went on to receive Max Aronoff, at The Curtis her principal teacher was Frank a Bachelor of Music degree from Institute of Music. Hart went to Bundra. Cathy joined the DSO in the Oberlin Conservatory, an Indiana University, studied with 1973. While serving for 10 years Artist Diploma from The Curtis David Dawson and in 1969 grad- as the DSO representative to Institute of Music, and a Master uated with a performance degree. ICSOM (International of Music degree from The After graduation Hart got the Conference of Symphony and Juilliard School. Her principal Principal Viola position with The Opera Musicians), she served on teachers include Karen Tuttle, North Carolina Symphony. In ICSOM’s Board of Governors for Eugene Becker, Jeffrey Irvine, and 1970 Hart went to the Baltimore two years. As chairman of the Joyce Robbins. She has been an Symphony where the quartet he Conductor Evaluation adjunct faculty member of formed became the resident quar- Computerization Committee, she Detroit’s Wayne State University tet at the Ambler Music Festival. spearheaded the research to devel- since 1998, and has taught Master In 1973 Hart joined the Detroit op the form still in use today. She Classes at the University of Symphony, during which time he has served on several DSO com- Michigan. She coaches the viola became a member of the mittees, for the past ten years as section of the Detroit Symphony American Artists Series. He has Chairman of the Hall Civic Orchestra, and has a private

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 68 teaching studio. Previously, she Summer Institute. In addition, Ensemble, Montreal’s McGill was on the faculty of Temple Shanda maintains a busy private Chamber Orchestra and University in Philadelphia from teaching studio. In her free time, Orquestra Sinfonica de Xalapa in 1994-1996. An active chamber Shanda loves playing as much ten- Mexico prior to joining the DSO. musician, Coade spent two sum- nis as she can and hanging out Mishnaevski joined the Detroit mers at the Marlboro Music with her two cats, Harry and Symphony Orchestra as principal Festival and since 1999 Coade has Hermione. violist in 1986. Mishnaevski has been a member of the Woodland performed in chamber music con- Trio (flute, harp, viola). In April Born in Moscow, Alexander certs and in recital around the 2002 the Trio performed in Mishnaevski (principal viola) world and has collaborated on Morocco as guests of King began studying the violin at age chamber music projects with emi- Hussan VI. When she is not play- six –Mishnaevski’s father was the nent players including Isaac Stern, ing her viola, Coade can be found principal violist with the Radio Schlomo Mintz, Joseph at Stardust Ballroom, where she and Television Symphony Silverstein, Schmuel Ashkenazy, studies ballroom dancing. Orchestra of Moscow. The Franz Helmerson, Joseph younger Mishnaevski changed Swenson and the Colorado Shanda Lowery was born in from violin to viola in the later Quartet. As a soloist, Mishnaevski California and began studying the 1970s, at the suggestion of Isaac has appeared with the New York violin at age five and the piano at Stern, following several master City Symphony, the Oklahoma age eight. She continued her classes. Mishnaevski immigrated Symphony, Queens Symphony musical studies at the Interlochen to the United States in 1973, after Orchestra (New York), the New Arts Academy in Michigan, his father decided that the West Jersey State Symphony, Orquestra majoring in violin. She received a offered a more promising future. Sinfonica de Xalapa, the Taipei BA in Music from the University Unfortunately, Mishnaevski’s Symphony and the Singapore of Puget Sound where she began father didn’t live to see his son Symphony. He has also performed studying the viola with Joyce perform on American soil; he in Korea and Hong Kong. Ramee. Shanda attended the passed away in Italy, where the Locally, Mishnaevski performs University of Maryland and Rice young Mishnaevski and the rest of with the symphony orchestras of University where she earned a the family spent eight months Detroit, Windsor (Ontario), Master of Music in Viola awaiting documentation allowing Southfield, Grosse Pointe and Performance, studying with them into the U.S. Mishnaevski Dearborn. Roberto Diaz, Wayne Brooks, and did complete studies at the Martha Katz. She has held posi- Central Music School in Moscow Currently Assistant Principal tions with the Virginia Symphony prior to his emigration; once in Violist of the Detroit Symphony (Assistant Principal), Rochester the U.S., he graduated from the Orchestra, James VanValkenburg Philharmonic, and joined the Juilliard School of Music and came to orchestral playing after a Detroit Symphony in 2001. became an American citizen in satisfying career in chamber Shanda also enjoys teaching and 1978. From 1979 through 1985, music. As a founding member of performing with educational out- he was principal viola for the the International String Quartet, reach groups. Her love of teaching Soviet Émigré Orchestra, and he toured the world with concerts has benefited members of the played with that group during its in Europe, the Far East, South Detroit Civic Orchestra, tours of North America, South America, as well as the U.S. The Interlochen Arts Camp/World America and Europe. Mishnaevski quartet won several notable prizes, Youth Symphony Orchestra, Troy also held the position of principal including the Munich High School String Camp, and violist for the New York Chamber Competition, East & West Artists the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, the New York Pro Arte of New York, and was the first

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 69 winner of the Premier Grand Prix that those two events are unre- Quartet Competition in at the International Chamber lated. Before joining the DSO, London, England. Manchin Music Competition of Evian, Glenn earned his Master of studied with Emanuel Vardi at France. Since joining the DSO in Music degree at Indiana the Manhattan School of Music 1986 he has participated in sever- University where he was a stu- from 1991-1994. Upon gradua- al summer festivals including dent of Abraham Skernick. His tion, she was appointed to the Lockenhaus, Newport, and undergraduate degree is from DSO. She was also a finalist in Strings in the Mountains. Northern Illinois University the 1991 Primrose International A graduate of the Interlochen Arts where he studied with Nobuko Viola Competition. Manchin Academy and Indiana University Imai. While at Indiana, Glenn currently lives in Northville, School of Music, he has enjoyed met his first wife, Edie, to Michigan with her husband, chamber music collaborations whom he is still happily mar- Bing Xia, a violinist with the with many of his favorite musi- ried. They are endeavoring to Michigan Opera Theatre. They cians, among them Menahem survive raising two teenage sons. have an eight-year-old son Pressler, Gidon Kremer, Misca When the viola is not in his named Brandon who has been Maisky, David Shifrin, and Isaac hands, one of Glenn’s favorite playing the violin since he was Stern. Recent recordings include a things to do is cook for family five. Manchin enjoys living in violin, viola duet of William and friends. He also enjoys Michigan and enjoys being a Bolcom, Piano Quartets of Franz being outdoors, most especially member of the DSO. Waxman and the Stravinsky relaxing on a lake in Northern Septet, on Koch, and the Michigan while sitting in his lit- Theresa Rudolph, age 23, is Beethoven Septet on Philips. Jim tle yellow boat, which depend- currently the youngest member is married and enjoys being ram- ing on its orientation in the of the DSO. She comes from bunctious with his two boys, as water is know either as the Vancouver, British Columbia, well as running, swimming, bik- Mellow Yellow Canoe or the where she began her musical ing and all other active outdoor Yellow Submarine. studies on the violin at the age endeavors. He spends much of his of 3. While in high school, she free time training for Ironman Born in Hunan, China, DSO began playing the viola and Triathlons and has started and violist Manchin Zhang started studied with Gerald Stanick, completed two, most recently fin- playing the violin when she was who inspired her to concentrate ishing the 2.4 mile swim, 112 six. In 1988, she switched to the exclusively on this beautiful mile bike, and 26.2 mile run of viola and two months later was instrument. Theresa spent her Ironman Canada 2002 in 13 a winner of the China National last year of high school in the hours and 55 minutes. Concerto Competition, allowing Young Artist Program at the her the opportunity to perform Cleveland Institute of Music, Glen Mellow has been a mem- the Walton Viola Concerto with where she studied with Robert ber of the Detroit Symphony the Shanghai Symphony Vernon. She then went on to Orchestra since 1980. His Orchestra. That same year, she obtain her Bachelor of Music favorite memory is being grant- also performed as violist with Degree from CIM, graduating ed tenure by Music Director the Shanghai String Quartet, in 2001. Theresa has attended Antal Dorati after only five with whom she performed con- the Sarasota Music Festival, the weeks on the job. Soon after certs throughout the city. The New York String Orchestra that, the DSO Board of group performed a four week Seminar, the Isaac Stern Directors accepted Mr. Dorati’s tour of Hong Kong and won Chamber Music Workshop at resignation. To this day, Glenn fourth place in the 1988 Carnegie Hall, and the Steans stubbornly continues to believe Portsmouth International String Institute for Young Artists at the

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 70 Ravinia Festival. She participated in the Musicians from Ravinia 2001 Tour, and is featured on their promotional CD. In addi- tion, Theresa has collaborated with musi- cians such as Steven Isserlis, Robert McDuffie, Miriam Fried, and the Borromeo String Quartet. She has been featured several times on CBC Radio. Theresa’s mother, Kathleen, is principal flute of the CBC Orchestra and her father, John, is principal percussion of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. They enjoy performing together as the Rudolph Family Players. Theresa also has a younger brother, Michael, who wants to one day break the family mold and become a lawyer.

Han Zheng, one of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s newest violists, was born in Guangdong Shantou, China. His father was a professional violinist and was Zheng’s first music teacher. At age fourteen, Zheng entered the Guangszhou Conservatory of Music to study both violin and viola. In 1985, he continued his studies at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In 1992, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Upon graduation, he joined the China National Symphony Orchestra. In 1997, Zheng came to the United States to further his music career. He turned to his hobby of bow making and found a job as a bow maker in Chicago. The following year, Zheng won the position of Principal Viola with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra. Zheng began substituting with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2000, and won his position with the DSO in September 2001. Zheng and his wife, Xian (a flutist), recently welcomed the birth of their first child, a son named Caleb. In his spare time, Zheng enjoys rehairing bows of many DSO string players, and making wood furniture.

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