Journal of the American Viola Society Volume 28 No. 1, Spring 2012
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y t e i c o S a l o i V n a c i r e m A e h t Features: 1 f IVC 39 Review r e o b Bernard Zaslav: m From Broadway u l to Babbitt N a Sergey Vasilenko's 8 n Viola Compositions 2 r e m u u l o V o J Journal of the American Viola Society A publication of the American Viola Society Spring 2012 Volume 28 Number 1 Contents p. 3 From the Editor p. 5 From the President p. 7 News & Notes: Announcements ~ In Memoriam ~ IVC Host Letter Feature Articles p. 13 International Viola Congress XXXIX in Review: Andrew Filmer and John Roxburgh report from Germany p. 19 Bowing for Dollars: From Broadway to Babbitt: Bernard Zaslav highlights his career as Broadway musician, recording artist, and quartet violist p. 33 Unknown Sergey Vasilenko and His Viola Compositions: Recent Discoveries in Russian Archives: Elena Artamonova uncovers works by Russian composer Sergey Vasilenko Departments p. 49 In the Studio: Yavet Boyadjiev chats with legendary Thai viola teacher Choochart Pitaksakorn p. 57 Student Life: Meet six young violists featured on NPR’s From the Top p. 65 With Viola in Hand: George Andrix reflects on his viola alta p. 69 Recording Reviews On the Cover: Karoline Leal Viola One Violist Karoline Leal uses her classical music background for inspiration in advertising, graphic design, and printmaking. Viola One is an alu - minum plate lithograph featuring her viola atop the viola part to Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony. To view more of her art, please visit: www.karolineart.daportfolio.com. Editor: David M. Bynog The Journal of the American Viola Departmental Editors: Society is published in spring and fall Alternative Styles: David Wallace and as an online-only issue in summer. At the Grassroots: Karin Brown The American Viola Society was founded Fresh Faces: Lembi Veskimets for the promotion of viola performance In the Studio: Karen Ritscher New Music: Daniel Sweaney and research. Orchestral Training Forum: Lembi Veskimets ©2012, American Viola Society Recording Reviews: Carlos María Solare ISSN: 0898-5987 Student Life: Adam Paul Cordle With Viola in Hand: Ann Roggen Consultant: Dwight Pounds JAVS welcomes AVS National Board of Directors articles from its Officers readers. Submission Nokuthula Ngwenyama, president (2014) deadlines are Kathryn Steely, president-elect (2014) Karin Brown, secretary (2014) December 15 for Michelle Sayles, treasurer (2014) the Spring issue, April 15 Juliet White-Smith, past president (2012) for the Summer online Board Members Rebecca Albers (2012) issue, and August 15 David M. Bynog (2012) for the Fall issue. Adam Paul Cordle (2012) Matt Dane (2013) Send submissions to the Timothy Deighton (2012) Sel Kardan (2012) AVS Editorial Office, Michael Kimber (2014) David M. Bynog Edward Klorman (2013) Kathryn Plummer (2014) [email protected] Karen Ritscher (2012) or to Ann Roggen (2014) Christine Rutledge (2013) Madeleine Crouch, George Taylor (2013) 14070 Proton Rd., Marcus Thompson (2014) Suite 100 AVS General Manager Madeleine Crouch Dallas, TX 75244 AVS National Office 14070 Proton Road, Suite 100 Dallas, TX 75244 (972) 233-9107 ext. 204 The JAVS offers print and web advertising for a receptive and influential readership. For advertising rates please contact the AVS National office at [email protected] JOuRNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 2 FROM THE EDITOR sonata, written in 1923, by the With this issue, we are also introduc - Russian composer Sergey Vasilenko. ing a new department: With Viola in Now, violist and musicologist Elena Hand. This department will feature Artamonova has released a CD show - short articles on diverse activities by casing all of Vasilenko’s works for violists. Our first article is by George viola; seven pieces in all. Artamonova Andrix, who has spent his career introduces both the composer and playing on a viola alta. In addition to these works in her article on the Andrix's account of the instrument, “unknown Sergey Vasilenko.” we are pleased to include the first of a Covering a wide range of styles and series of Romantic Sketches he has technical challenges, Vasilenko’s written for the viola alta (which is works should not remain unknown also playable on the viola). for long. Lastly, our In Memoriam section Bernard Zaslav is a familiar name in includes a moving tribute to William It seems as if I learn something new the viola world, known for his Magers, a popular and beloved about the viola every day. While recordings as part of the Zaslav Duo teacher in Arizona. Readers who much of what I learn is indeed as well as his work with a number of would like to know more about “brand new” (a contemporary com - prominent string quartets. Zaslav Magers can also read about him in a position or the name of a new instru - recently published his memoir, The 1988 article by Rosemary Glyde in ment maker), much of it is informa - Viola in My Life: An Alto Rhapsody , our online JAVS archives at: tion that is decades, if not centuries which is a fascinating and entertain - http://americanviolasociety.org/jour - old. The Journal of the American Viola ing read. In his “Bowing for Dollars” nal/files/2010/04/JAVS-4_1.pdf. Society has long been a valuable article, Bernie includes several anec - source for presenting both “brand dotes excerpted from his book, pri - Cordially, new” and “newly rediscovered” mate - marily from his days working in New rial about the viola, and this issue is York. If you’ve read his book already, David M. Bynog guaranteed to provide even our most there is still plenty of new material in JAVS Editor veteran readers with their daily dose the article, capped off with his edi - of new information. tion of the Dvořák-Kreisler Slavonic Dance No. 1 for you to enjoy. We begin with our review of the 39th viola congress in Würzburg, Two of our departmental articles fea - Germany. Viola congresses are also ture interviews. Our In the Studio great sources of new information on department takes us to Thailand to the viola, and the 2011 congress meet Ajarn Choochart Pitaksakorn. offered an array of artists from The Thai violist and teacher discusses around the world. Participants the viola in his country, his multiple- Andrew Filmer and John Roxburgh viola ensemble The Viola Lovers , and share their thoughts on the activities his receipt of the National Artist from the inspirational to the contro - Prize, Thailand’s highest honor for its versial. artists. In our Student Life depart - ment, Deborah Price chats with six One of the pleasures of the 38th viola talented young violists who have congress in Cincinnati was a per - appeared on the popular radio and formance of a little-known viola television show From the Top . VOLuME 28 NuMBER 1 3 JOuRNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 4 FROM THE PRESIDENT Preparations for this upcoming con - features CDs from many of our execu - gress at the Eastman School of Music tive board. Primrose First Place laure - are accelerating. Carol Rodland, ate Jennifer Stumm will give a master George Taylor, and Phillip Ying have class and has agreed to sign CDs at the posted exciting program details, travel, booth as well. This year, new and and registration information on the renewing members at our ASTA booth Eastman School of Music’s website: will also have the opportunity to win www.esm.rochester.edu/ivc2012. The an Arcos bow, and we expect to have 40th International Viola Congress an enjoyable time seeing many familiar promises to be unforgettable. Please be and new faces. a part of history and come to Rochester this year. We have yet to hear from the IRS on our recent application for our national Applications are available online for chapters. This was a painstaking yet the Dalton Competition with a sub - necessary step for our organization. mission deadline of May 15, 2012. Nevertheless, the expense of the appli - This year’s prize includes publication cation has strained our finances. That, of the chosen scholarly article and a in addition to our printing costs and cash prize of $400. Inquiries and appli - other expenses, has forced the board to cations should be directed to Dalton enact austerity measures. Our commit - Spring greetings! I hope you are having Competition chair and JAVS editor tees are hard at work making difficult a rewarding new year of great success. David Bynog. decisions to ensure the health and The American Viola Society has been prosperity of this organization. busy the last few months providing the The next time you visit our website latest and greatest opportunities for you may notice something different. I extend a heartfelt thanks to our hard- our community. Thanks to Adam Cordle, our webmas - working executive board. Without ter, media coordinator, and technology them none of this would be possible. The Second Biennial Gardner committee chair, we are now able to Please continue to visit our website Composition Competition received advertise online. Please look out for regularly to submit your events and fifty-two entries from five countries, those rates in your e-mail. If you have keep up with our many activities. I and at the time of this letter judges a business, CD, sheet music, or other hope to see you in Atlanta, Rochester, were deliberating between six accom - products to publicize, we encourage or somewhere in between. plished finalists. I commend the partic - you to advertise online or in JAVS ; it is ipants, Christine Rutledge, and the a great way to reach our community. Sincerely, Gardner Committee for this success! We also hope you will support our Nokuthula Ngwenyama The prize includes a cash award of advertisers, who provide much finan - $1000 and performance of the work at cial assistance to our organization.