2024 Primrose International Viola Competition & American Viola Society Festival Program Book

2024 Primrose International Viola Competition & American Viola Society Festival Schedule of Events — FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 2024

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Lecture Olive 229 Viola Works by Women Composers: An Overview

Aurélien Pétillot – The viola and its repertoire are less-familiar to the wider public, and even violists tend to be less aware of the plethora of works available for discovery, especially those by women composers. This lecture will therefore present research and pedagogical resources, featuring works by composers from Beatrice Mattei to Polina Nazaykinskaya, with the hopes that their programming might become the new normal.

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

Lecture-Recital Mayman Hall An AVS Festival Ensemble Commission Retrospective: Works by Bunch, Colberg, and Vanderveer Ames Asbell – Since 2016, each AVS Festival event has featured the premiere of a newly commissioned work for multiple violas. Composers commissioned by the AVS in past years include Kenji Bunch, Garth Knox, Christian Colberg, and Sakari Dixon Vanderveer. This retrospective features a short, recorded interview with each composer and a performance of their work, highlighting these unique additions to the multi-level viola ensemble repertoire. One of these pieces ("The Immigrant" by Christian Colberg) never received a live premiere as part of an AVS Festival. Featuring performances by Ames Asbell, Ruben Balboa III, Martha Carapetyan, Tim Washecka, and Kathryn Steely.

The Immigrant (2020)

Christian Colberg (b.1968)

In This Watershed Moment (2022)

Sakari Dixon Vanderveer (b.1992)

(Rise) and Shine (2016)

Kenji Bunch (b.1973)

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm

Lecture-Recital Thayer Hall Transcending Traditional Boundaries: Innovations in Alternative Chamber Music Performance. Duo Schembri-Gallagher – Transcending Traditional Boundaries will feature viola and multi percussion ensemble, Duo Schembri-Gallagher. The rich, sonorous timbre of the viola, and the many diverse timbres of the percussion family allows for a vibrant and creative relationship. Since the inception of this ensemble, a crucial element was redefine the roles of these instruments in the context of chamber music. The duo will perform four new compositions and discuss aspects of creativity and collaboration in this progressive chamber ensemble.

Scherzo

Kristian Schembri (b.1992)

Labyrinths

Three Miniatures for Viola and Multi-Percussion

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