AT THE GRASSROOTS

Ohio Society, 2002 under was Annalisa Boerner. to benefit talented young violists in Greetings from the Ohio Viola Annalisa is from Columbus, Ohio Ohio through the annual OVS Society! 2002 was an exciting and and studies with Deborah Price. Viola Competition. memorable year for violists in the Second Place went to Paul McIntyre Buckeye state. of Westlake, Ohio. Paul is a student The program consisted of arrange- of Peter Slowik. Honorable ments and original music from We began our year, as many chap- Mention in Division I was awarded various stylistic periods, including ters did, with the first-ever Viola to Justin Auschenbener of the Canzons XII and XVI by Super Sunday event, held on Strongsville, Ohio, and Alexandra Giovanni Gabrieli (arr. by Patrick January 13, 2002. Violists from Green of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Connolly) and the Water Patterns local communities and professional Justin is a student of Peter Slowik, for Eight and Solo Viola orchestras joined with students and and Alexandra studies with Louise (1991) by Nathaniel Tull Phillips. faculty from Ohio’s colleges and Zeitlin. Whether it was the beautiful conservatories under the baton of melodic lines of pieces like the Pie Maestro Peter Slowik to play Winner of the Division II Jesu from Gabriel Faure’s Requiem arrangements of familiar works like “Donald Crossley Memorial Viola (arr. by Tracey Rush) and the Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Berlioz’s Prize” for ages 14-17 was Benjamin Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 by Roman Carnival Overture, and Lee. Benjamin, of Hudson, Ohio, Heitor Villa-Lobos (arr. by Patrick Sousa’s Star Spangled Banner. The studies with Ann Smith. Rachel Connolly), or the rhythmic vitality event helped to attracted many new Ward was awarded Second place in of the Brazilian Waltz Medley members to the OVS and AVS. Division II. Rachel is a student of (2002) (arr. By Paul Ferguson) and Nancy Buck and is from Maumee, the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 We’d like to thank the Amateur Ohio. Jonathan Epstein won this by Johann Sebastian Bach, the Chamber Music Players Inc. for year’s Best Bach Award. Jonathan is ensemble beautifully expressed the their grant to cover costs of arrange from Pepper Pike, Ohio and is a viola’s rich sonorities and expressive the event, and to Baldwin-Wallace student of Louise Zeitlin. timbre. The evening also included College Conservatory for the use Congratulations to all participants! the Divertimento for Four Violas by of the hall. Thanks also to Louise Kenneth Harding, the Entr’acte Zeitlin for her hard work in organ- Judging this year’s competition from Rosamunde by Franz Schubert izing the event locally. were Marcia Ferritto for Division I (arr. by Robert Stoskopf); and the and Roger Chase for Division II. Festival Overture (1999) by Michael On Sunday, March 3, we held our Kimber. second annual Student Northeast Ohio viola enthusiasts Competition. Participants (and their had a rare opportunity to hear an The OVS is grateful to the violists parents) braved high winds to travel entire program of music dedicated of the Cleveland Orchestra for to Oberlin College in Oberlin, to the beauty and expressive range their support of the OVS and our Ohio to compete for the top prizes of the viola. The Viola section of Viola Competition. The members and receive comments from this the Cleveland Orchestra per- of the ensemble include Principal year’s judges. formed an evening of music at the Violist Robert Vernon, who did Cleveland Museum of Art’s double duty as conductor and Winner of the Division I Gartner Auditorium. The concert, soloist throughout the evening; “Bratsche” prize for ages 13 and held on April 26, raised over $600 First Assistant Principal Lynne

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 61 Ramsey, who performed as soloist at The Cleveland Institute of success. Eighteen violists of all in the Festival Overture and Music and Encore School for ages gathered on the stage of Water Patterns; Assistant Principal Strings. Lembi, who has been an Clapp Recital Hall at the Stanley Konopka; and section OVS Board member since our University of Iowa to read some members Lisa Boyko, Patrick inception, is a member of the very fun works. What a sound! Connolly (who arranged many of Cleveland Orchestra and is on the The evening concluded with the the pieces on the program), faculty of the Music School Bach Brandenburg Sixth Yarden Faden, Mark Jackobs, Settlement. Many thanks to Concerto with Rosemary Arthur Klima, Eliesha Nelson, Louise Zeitlin for all her hard Chancler at the piano. Then we Lembi Veskimets, and Richard work and leadership during her all headed down to The Mill Waugh. We would also like to tenure as president, and we wish Restaurant and had a great time. thank Cleveland Orchestra guests her well in her new position as We’re already looking forward to Thomas Sperl, violone, Richard Secretary for the AVS, and as a Viola Super Sunday 2004. Weiss, violoncello, and Joela continuing OVS Board member. Jones, harpsichord, who per- – Jeff Williams The next day the Society hosted formed in the Brandenburg guest violist Peter Slowik, and Concerto No. 6. Iowa Viola Society pianist James Howsmon, at the Preucil School of Music. Slowik On Sunday, November 17, the The Iowa Viola Society inaugurat- and Howsmon performed an OVS held our fourth annual ed its 2002-03 season with the excellent recital of music by Lidl, Master Class Day at The annual Viola Day, which was held Bartok, Gershwin, Vieuxtemps, Cleveland Institute of Music. on Oct. 6, 2002 in Dubuque, and Brahms. The performance Junior High, Senior High, Iowa at the Northeast Iowa was followed by a reception for College, and Adult Amateur vio- School of Music. The day began the artists and Viola Society lists participated in the event, with an excellent master class by members. which was attended by over 50 Spencer Martin, Instructor of –Christine Rutledge-Russell people. Lisa Boyko, Roger Chase, Viola at Luther College in Mark Jackobs, Stanley Konopka, Decorah, Iowa. After the annual Jeffrey Irvine, Laura Shuster, Peter membership meeting we had a Utah Viola Society Slowik, Lembi Veskimets, and great performance of Warlock’s Super Sunday Louise Zeitlin coached the partic- Pavane by Dubuque area high ipants in 30-minute blocks. school students, followed by The Utah Viola Society Super Observers, participants, and their Guido Papini’s Quartet performed Sunday was a great success. The families were able to attend the by Christine Rutledge, William event took place January 19, 2003 four simultaneous sessions. Preucil, Spencer Martin, and Julia at the University of Utah in Salt Attendees noted that the event Bullard. Then all in attendance Lake City. Roberta Zalkind, was extremely rewarding. The day (this year we had over 25 partici- Associate Principal violist of the ended with socializing together pants) gathered to read some Utah Symphony Orchestra, and a over refreshments. favorite ensemble works for mul- viola instructor at the University tiple violas. The day concluded of Utah, hosted the event. Many Finally, in news from the OVS with a recital featuring Tracey thanks to the music administra- Board, we welcomed new board Rush, Maura Sullivan, Julia tion of the university for allowing member Lisa Boyko and incom- Bullard, Christine Rutledge, and us free use of their facilities. ing president Lembi Veskimets in Spencer Martin. Our second June. Lisa is a member of the annual Viola Super Sunday, held Michael Palumbo, professor of Cleveland Orchestra and teaches on January 19, 2003, was a huge viola at Weber State University in

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 62 Ogden, Utah, organized the event "finished product.” The group Chicago Viola Society which drew together 21 violists, read a variety of music, inter- including 5 members of the Utah spersed with a brief break to par- The Chicago Viola Society will be Symphony Orchestra, university take of nourishment (eat junk sponsor the 1st Annual Midwest students, and other members of food), and socialize. Works that Viola Conference on Saturday, the viola community, for 2 hours were read ranged from an opening April 26, 2003, at the Chicago of music and food. performance of three movements College of Performing Arts at from the Six Canonic Sonatas of Roosevelt University. The featured Claudine Bigelow, professor of Telemann, to the finale without artist is British violist Simon viola at Brigham Young which such a gathering wouldn’t Rowland-Jones who will present a University, and president of the be complete, the first and third masterclass and a recital. UVS invited Christian Asplund of movements of Bach’s Instrument displays and demon- the BYU faculty to compose a Brandenburg No. 6. Christian strations will be in conjunction piece for the event. Christian is an Asplund played the cembalo part with the American Federation of accomplished violist, in addition on the piano, and Michael Violin and Bow Makers who is to being a composer. His new Palumbo and Wilson Hsieh holding its annual general meet- work, Piece for 4 or More Violas, played the gamba parts on viola. ing in Chicago the same weekend. was composed in the form of a Unfortunately we didn’t have a For more information please visit canon. After a brief explanation of cellist, but the performance was the Chicago Viola Society website the instructions for measure and still very satisfying. at: viola.com/chvs. section repetition we set off to read the music with Christian It’s amazing how fast two hours conducting. Various aleatoric ele- flies by when you are engrossed in ments including unspecified num- chamber music. We had far more bers of repeats in various sections, music than we were able to read and individual rhythmic interpre- in the time we had available. But, tations of pitch groupings, made not a problem, this just gives us the piece at once interesting and an excuse to meet again and play complicated. We read, practiced some more. slowly, and finally performed the – Michael Palumbo

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 63 RECORDING REVIEWS

By David O. Brown In this issue, my reviews include Canto qualities.. transcriptions the recordings of two violists by Strahkov and Borisovsky make When I raved about violist Tabea with whom I was not familiar. full use of the viola’s timbric and Zimmmerman’s Haenssler record- Both are finished artists that are expressive arsenal... Carlos Maria ing (CD93008) of Hebrew worthy of your attention and Solare, Strad Benda, J: Viola Chamber Music in the last support. Mr. Slapin made his Concerto; Benda’s Lament; Journal, I wrote Ms. Haenssler Hiroshi lizuka viola sound like it Benda, F: Violin Concerto; Josef and expressed my admiration for had been around for a couple of Suk, viola; Ariane Pfister-Benda, the recording. She then sent me centuries. More importantly, he violin; Christian Benda, cello; two other recordings featuring made the works sound as if origi- Prague Chamber Orchestra; similar music. One of the two nally written for the viola. He Naxos 8.5 53994 new discs featured pianist Jascha has that dash and smoothness Nemtsov and violinist Ingolf that many an older violist would Josef Suk gives a brilliant per- Turban (CD 93041), and the envy. No less than William formance in his ... other (CD 93041) featured Primrose is quoted as saying the well worth investigating. Carl mezzo soprano Helene Bach Sonatas and Partitas are, Baumer, American Record Guide Schneiderman on her disc entitled “nearly unplayable”. More power “On Wings of Jewish Song”. All for the extraordinary musician- Dancing Suite to Suite: Saxe: three discs feature Russian Jewish ship of Scott Slapin. Dance Suite for Solo Violin; composers whose works were sup- Bach: Partita No.2 BWV 1004; pressed for 70 years or more, Music for Viola: Bach: Bakkerud: Fanitullen for revived now by Haenssler. Chaconne; Hindemith: Sonata Hardangerfele; Karen Bentley, Op.1 1 #4; Paganini -Kiegel: violin, viola, Hardanger fiddle; Bach: Concerto for Viola (after Cantabile; Bizet-Waxman: Neptunus Records NEPCDOO5 BWV 1053, 169 and 49); Carmen Fantasy; Debussy- Concerto for Three Violins (after Borisovsky: La Fille Aux Chevaux Another instrumentalist new to BWV 1064); Concerto for Violin de Lin; Debussy Strahkov: La me as I believe that this is her (after BWV 1056); Concerto for Plus que Lente; Shostakovich- first issued disc. Scandinavian Oboe (after BWV 1060); Strahkov: Preludes Op. 34 #18, composer Ole Saxe has written a Wolfram Christ, viola; Rainer #5, #24. Wladimir Kosstanenko, superb suite of dances for solo Kussmael, violin; Alexander Ivic, viola; Vesna Podrug, piano; violin and viola. Although the violin; Albrecat Mayer, oboe; and Extraplatte EX 41 5-2 viola has just a short section of Bernhard Forck, violin; Berlin the Dance Suite, I so thorough- Baroque Soloists; Koch Schwann At the 1997 Tertis Competition ly enjoyed the disc and talents 99923-149 1-2 Kosstanenko “set the place alight of Ms. Bentley that I just had to with his Bach Chaconne” accord- review the record for the Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for ing to Strad reviewer Tully Journal. Her tone, phrasing, Solo Violin (adapted for the Potter… memories of his mes- and technique provide all the viola); Scott Slapin viola; merizing performance were background she needs to Stewart Society for the brought back by this CD. impress any music lover. I have Recorded Sound SSRS42773-2 Paganini’s Cantabile... shows off been touch with Ms. Bentley (2 disc set) the players’ considerable Bel and she promises a disc devoted

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 73 to the viola in the not too dis- Note: Grand Sextet Concertante A friend, David Hermann, told tant future. Brava! is an arrangement for small me about a CD available featur- ensemble of the Sinfonia ing a violist with whom I was Joachim: Hebrew Melodies; Kiel: Concertante K. 364. unfamiliar. I contacted her with a Three Romances; Herzogenberg: request for a review copy. She gra- Legends; Andriessen: Sonatina; Vienna Ensemble’s Mozart is ciously complied. I believe that I Heinrich: XX14; Prince Reuss: almost a match for the marvelous can justly say her CD is my Sonata, Anna Barbara Duetschler, original for violin, viola and recording of the year. Her tone viola; Marc Pantallon, piano orchestra. Why is simple: These quality, technique and sensitivity Claves CD 50-9905 players have a degree of ensemble are superb. She plays the same that just wraps itself around every instrument her grandmother used She is...stately, and evocative.., perfectly matched flawless nuance to play, a Gaspar da Salo. Who impresses me as a...subtle, and turn of expression. Duets was her grandmother? None other thoughtful artist... Joseph Magil exhale and inhale as if one as if than the great and illustrious vio- one person is breathing. The play- list and teacher Lillian Fuchs. Her Kancheli: Styx; Gubaidulina: ing is buoyant, clear...(it) has the great uncle was Joseph Fuchs; her Concerto for Viola; Yuri smoothest, lightest playing you’ll aunt is violinist Carol Stein and Bashmet,viola; Valery Gergiev, find anywhere…Gilbert French her mother is the cellist Barbara Coductor, conductor; Orchestra Reger: 3 Solo Viola Suites; Solo Stein Mallow. Now that is a her- of the Marinsky Theater, St. Violin Sonata #7; Luigi Alberti itage anyone would be proud to Petersburg Chamber Orchestra; Bianchi, viola; Dynamic CDS 383 have. Vladimir Vaijerevic is her Deutsche Grammophon 2GH excellent associate artist on the 471494 (Bianchi) was recorded in 1992 piano and also a fellow teacher on on a violin which was stolen 6 the Mannes College of Music fac- I consider Gubaidulina’s Viola years later. The Viola Suites were ulty in New York City. I can’t wait concerto to be the best concerto recorded on an Amati in 1977 to hear further recitals by these for the viola bar none. It’s head which was stolen 3 years later... wonderful artists. You can pur- and shoulder’s above Kancheli’s poignant.. .plays with passionate- chase her CD at www.cdbaby.com Styx... more complex, more con- ly full tone and avid technique... and www.gostrings.com. Links to sistently profound; it’s both pret- Michael Oliver, Gramophone both of these addresses can be tier and more compelling than found on Ms. Mallow’s website Schnittke’s and we need not con- Leonard Salzedo: Sonata for www.jeannemallow.com. sider Bartok’s in the same Violin and Viola; Quartets for league... the Gubaidulina is sheer Strings #2, #7; Elizabeth Schumann: Märchenbilder; genius, definitive, probing per- Turnbull, viola; Archaeus Quartet, Piano Quintet; Nobuko Imai, formances and very fine sound; Dutton Epoch COLX 7113 viola; Marta Argerich, piano; this is required listening. Robert Hyperion 33106 Kirzinger, Fanfare Schumann: Märchenbilder; Adagio and Allegro; Brahms: the Märchenbilder are not partic- Mozart: Grand Sextet Sonata for Viola Op. 1 20 #1; ularly interesting but Nobuko Concertante; Quartet for Piano Sonatensatz; Jeanne Mallow, lmai does her best to make them K 452; Vienna Ensemble; Reener viola; Vladimir Valjarevic, piano. persuasive. (This recording is Hawich, Tobias Lea, violas; Private JM 2232 Available from “very welcome”). Alexander Andrea Frolich, piano; Ines www.cdbaby.com; www.gostrings.com Morin, American Record Guide Savern, Cello; Kock Schwann and they can also be reached 36444 through Ms. Mallow’s website Schumann: Märchenbilder; www.jeannemallow.com. Märchenerzälungen; Adagio and

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 74 Allegro; Contrabandiste; Piano acquired ’s Sophia: Unrequited Love for Quintet; Philip Dukes, viola; and beloved Amati viola, had it com- Viola and Tape; Antoniou others; ASV PLT 8518 pletely refurbished and it is Theodore: sounding better than ever. He Paravasis Ill for Violin and Tape. Recital Disc in Memorium: also plans to come out with an Andreas Georgotas, viola; Spyros Shostakovich: Viola Sonata; entire disc of Primrose transcrip- Gikontis, violin Turangalila Kugel: Suite in Memory of tions. Oh that he might find Records LSO4 Shostakovich; Michael Kugel, some that have never been viola; Vesla Podrus, piano; recorded. I can’t wait! This is my introduction to classi- Extraplatte EX 525-2 cal Greek music. The violin and Kugel interprets the Shostakovich Walton: Concerto for Viola; viola work by Yannis lasts for 28 sonata as the composer’s plea for Facade Suites #1 ,#2; Variations minutes – it far outlasts its wel- forgiveness and reconciliation. on a Theme of Hindemith. Paul come. The gem of the disc is the Needless to say, the suite pulls Neubauer, viola; Bournemith 5 minute work by Sophia for every one of the viola’s expressive Symphony; Andrew Litton, con- viola and tape. I thought it was registers and is ideally presented ductor. Deacca- British Music most delightful and wished it was by its composer...Carlos Maria Collection 470 200-2 part of a larger work. The instru- Solare, Strad mentalists are very talented and Neubauer’s interpretation of the hoped I could someday hear Stamitz: Viola Concerto; Walton is right on. It emphasizes them in some more traditional Hoffmeister: Viola Concerto; the lyric, the charm, the lightness fare, both Greek and Western. Zelter: Viola Concerto; Hariolf of the composition. His gorgeous Schlichtig, viola; Munich Chamber tone quality just shines and I’ve Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante K Orchestra Daniel Gigleberger, con- known from the past that there 364; McKinley: Concert ductor; Tudor 7087 (In connection doesn’t seem to be anything he Variations; Karen Dreyfus: viola; with Bavarian Radio) cannot play with ease. It is a Glenn Dicterow, violin; Warsaw wonderful addition to his ever- National Philharmonic; Carl St. Hariolf Schlichtig survives the growing discography. Clair, conductor; MMC closest scrutiny at the Munich Recordings MMC21 22 Hochschule, he demonstrates Walton: Viola Concerto; classically poised playing. Carlos Belshazzar’s Feast; Facade Suites I was just about to finish my col- Maria Solare, Strad #1,#2; Frederick Riddle, viola; umn when several CDs arrived in Dennis Noble, baritone; the mail from MMC Records all Vieuxtemps: Viola Sonata; Symphony Orchestra, Liverpool featuring Karen Dreyfus. The Elegie; Capriccio; Unfinished Philharmonic; , first CD I naturally went to was Sonata; David (Trans. by conductor Pearl Gem 0111. the Mozart and McKinley CD Vieuxtemps): La Nuit; Roberto featuring Dreyfus and her hus- Diaz, viola; Robert Koenig, Beardley’s transfer does more jus- band Glenn Dicterow. I may piano; Naxos 8. 555262. tice to Riddle’s gorgeous, dark have listened to more than 100 viola tone presenting it credibly versions of the Mozart work, yet, He (Diaz) is a virtuoso player in within a warm acoustic.. .it’s a I am very pleased to say that the grand manner and thus ideal- beautiful recording... Carlos their version moves up near the ly suited to the Romantic reper- Maria Solare, Strad top. With his sweet and expres- toire...Carlos Maria Solare, Strad sive tone and her mellow, smooth Papaioannou A. Yannis: tone they do a beautiful job of Reviewer’s Note: It has come to Satyricon for Violin and Viola; blending into a unified whole. my attention that Mr. Diaz has Serghi The Warsaw National

VOLUME 19 NUMBER 1 75 Philharmonic provides a lovely their classy combination of the McKinley concerto reminded me background for the soloists to classical and modern. a lot of the Schnittke concerto – achieve a most effective 30 minutes. Walton: Viola Concerto; quite a bit of noise with little McKinley: Viola Concerto #3; substance. I was most surprised to find out Karen Dreyfus, viola; Warsaw that William Thomas McKinley, National Philharmonic; Silesian David O. Brown has been a record born in 1938, has about 25 list- Philharmonic Orchestra; Jerzy collector for over 50 years and ings in the Schwann Catalogue. Swoboda, conductor. MMC among his collection of over 5000 This was the first work of his I Records MMC 2047. items is a considerable collection of have ever heard. I thoroughly viola materials. He is also a retired enjoyed this work that comprises Compared to Neubauer’s version, music teacher and viola aficionado. a theme and 8 variations. Again I find that Dreyfus has slower the soloists show their commit- timings in all three sections of ment to fostering new and inter- the work. I find her performance esting compositions. Although more dramatic and introspective, McKinley’s style is modern I though both are equally valid found it very easy to follow – My and communicative. congratulations to the pair on Unfortunately, I found the

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 76