Journal of the American Viola Society A publication of the American Viola Society Summer 2009 Volume 25 Online Issue Contents p. 3 From the Editor p. 4 From the President p. 5 News & Notes: IVS News Feature Articles p. 9 Brazilian Music for Viola: Francisco Mignone’s Valsa Lenta: Carlos Aleixo dos Reis discusses the Brazilian composer Francisco Mignone and his Three Brazilian Waltzes for Viola and Piano p. 23 Lament and Lament with Ghosts: A Collaboration with Helen Callus: Composer Joel Feigin introduces us to three new compositions for solo viola and viola ensemble p. 35 Revisiting the 2008 Primrose Competition: Dwight Pounds interviews the three top prize­winners of the Eleventh Primrose International Viola Competition in the first installment of a two­part feature Departments p. 44 Alternative Styles: Martha Mooke provides a resource guide of recordings and compositions featuring the electric viola p. 53 In the Studio: Steve Wyrczynski reflects on Joseph de Pasquale’s legendary sound p. 57 Student Life: Jason Bonham reveals the importance of branding and creating a website to market your services On the Cover: Alyssa "Zoe" Whitney Viola Scroll Alyssa "Zoe" Whitney is a student of graphic design and traditional art at the University of Utah. She also writes music and plays viola in her rock band Merlin's Pants. Prints of her viola­themed paintings and other artwork can be found at her etsy shop: zoepapilia.etsy.com Editor: David M. Bynog The Journal of the American Viola Society is published Departmental Editors: in spring and fall and as an online‐only issue in Alternative Styles: David Wallace summer. The American Viola Society was founded for At the Grassroots: Ken Martinson the promotion of viola performance and research. ©2009, American Viola Society Fresh Faces: Lembi Veskimets ISSN: 0898‐5987 In the Studio: Karen Ritscher Meet the Section: Michael Strauss Modern Makers: Eric Chapman New Music: Ken Martinson Orchestral Training Forum: Lembi Veskimets Recording Reviews: Carlos María Solare Student Life: Adam Paul Cordle Consultant: Dwight Pounds JAVS welcomes articles AVS National Board of Directors from its readers. Officers Submission deadlines are Juliet White‐Smith, president (2011) Nokuthula Ngwenyama, president‐elect (2011) December 15 for the Kenneth Martinson, secretary (2010) Michelle Sayles, treasurer (2010) Spring issue, April 15 for Helen Callus, past president (2009) the Summer online issue, Board Members and August 15 for the Fall Claudine Bigelow (2009) Sheila Browne (2010) issue. Send submissions to David M. Bynog (2012) Kirsten Docter (2011) the AVS Editorial Office, Michael Fernandez (2009) David Holland (2010) David M. Bynog Kathryn Plummer (2011) [email protected] Deborah Price (2010) Carol Rodland (2009) or to Ann Roggen (2011) Marcus Thompson (2011) Madeleine Crouch, Lembi Veskimets (2010) Louise Zeitlin (2009) 14070 Proton Rd., AVS General Manager Suite 100 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] VOLUME 25 SUMMER 2009 ONLINE ISSUE 2 FROM THE EDITOR project, composing three new electric viola. You may uncover a works for viola and viola new outlet for your music‐ ensemble. Feigin writes about making. the process, giving insight into the creation of these Our Student Life department compositions. The process is once again offers an article that is particularly fascinating because useful not only for students, but of the intertwined nature of the for all of us: how to promote three works. We are happy to yourself on the Internet. Jason provide complete recordings of Bonham, a successful web two of the works by Feigin to designer, educator, and violist, accompany the article: Lament gives practical advice and tips Summer never seems to be a and Lament with Ghosts. about how to market yourself period of rest for musicians. and design your website. This Whatever activities you may be In our final feature article, article is a must‐read for anyone involved in this summer, I hope Dwight Pounds catches up with interested in marketing that you will find time to take a the three top prize‐winners in themselves on the web, break for our online issue of the last summer’s eleventh Primrose regardless of whether you plan to JAVS; it contains some wonderful International Viola Competition. create your own site or hire offerings. Carlos Aleixo dos Reis The interview covers a range of someone to help you. starts things off with his article topics including details of their Lastly, Steve Wyrczynski reflects on the Brazilian composer career plans and their thoughts on the legendary sound of violist Francisco Mignone. The article on the nature of music Joseph de Pasquale. A profound presents a survey of Mignone’s competitions. musical force on the viola, Mr. de career and focuses on one of his Our Alternative Styles Pasquale’s influence has compositions for viola: the Valsa Department continues the “Year extended for decades through his Lenta in C Minor. South America of the Electric Viola” with Martha teaching and performing. If you offers a wealth of music for the Mooke’s resource guide for the are in the Philadelphia area on viola, and it is exciting that recent instrument. The guide lists October 25, 2009, please join research is helping to promote recordings and compositions for Steve and his colleagues at the and make available these lesser‐ the electric viola and provides Curtis Institute for a celebration known works. information about other online of de Pasquale’s ninetieth year. The AVS’s past president, Helen resources, including a Facebook Cordially, Callus, is also known for group and YouTube videos. I furthering the cause of the viola encourage you to investigate David M. Bynog through various activities. some of the works in Martha’s JAVS Editor Composer Joel Feigin recently excellent guide, particularly if you collaborated with Helen on a have never seen nor heard an VOLUME 25 SUMMER 2009 ONLINE ISSUE 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT Karen Ritscher. Their terms begin fabulous job in both these July 1, and run through June of capacities and on her outstanding 2012. I know you join me in service to the organization. She will warmly welcoming them and in be greatly missed, and we wish her thanking them for their willingness the very best as she pursues other to serve. projects. The AVS is in the process of receiving applications to fill this I also wish to express my gratitude open position. to the four members rotating off the board at the end of June: many I am excited to announce a new thanks to Claudine Bigelow, benefit to AVS membership: the Summer Greetings, Fellow Violists! Michael Fernandez, Carol Rodland, Anderson Group is now offering and Louise Zeitlin for their service group instrument insurance rates The past few months have been a to the AVS. I wish them all the very to our members. If you do not busy time for the American Viola best in their future endeavors. already have instrument insurance, Society. I just returned from the I encourage you to explore this The AVS Executive Board also annual meetings of the AVS option. Please visit Executive Board, which were held welcomes two new advisors to the http://www.anderson‐ at Brigham Young University in board: Ronald G. Worsham, group.com/avs/ for more Provo, Utah. Many thanks to Associate Professor in the School information and an easy online Claudine Bigelow for hosting the of Accountancy/Marriott School at application or quote. Let your board! This was the first year that BYU and Charles C. Tucker, viola friends and colleagues know Attorney at Law in Fort Collins, the AVS Board used an online of this great new program for AVS Colorado. I am grateful to them meeting service to include those members and encourage them to members who were unable to both for volunteering their time join our great organization! attend in person. Despite a few and expertise to the board in the initial glitches, the meetings were areas of accounting and legal I look forward to seeing many of very successful. The online service matters. you in South Africa next month. helped to alleviate the travel cost Stay tuned for the Fall issue of the Kathryn Steely recently announced JAVS and news and updates of AVS to board members, who are her resignation as AVS Webmaster. responsible for covering their own programs and benefits, such as a Kathy has been a tireless force travel expenses, and the meetings CD evaluation project and access behind the AVS for over ten years, to new music on our website. were as productive as ever. first as successor to David Dalton I am delighted to announce the as Editor of the JAVS and then as Wishing you the best in your election of the following new the creator and maintainer of the summer travels, board members: Rebecca Albers, AVS’s presence on the World Wide Juliet White‐Smith, President Timothy Deighton, Sel Kardan, and Web. I commend Kathy on a VOLUME 25 SUMMER 2009 ONLINE ISSUE 4 NEWS AND NOTES WORK OF THE INTERNATIONAL VIOLA SOCIETY: A BRIEF LOOK AT WHAT THE IVS HAS DONE, IS DOING, AND PLANS TO DO by Michael Vidulich [The present IVS member Viola Societies are: 1. American (USA), 2. Australian & New Zealand, 3. Canadian, 4. Chinese, 5. English, 6. French, 7. German, 8. Nigerian, 9. Nordic (Danish, Finnish, The work of the International Viola Society Icelandic, Norwegian and Swedish), 10. South (“IVS”) is to: bring the world’s violists together African, 11.