JAVS Fall 2007

Day Three: Sunday 1 July 2007 - T homas Tatton (USA)

Addendum to Day 2 by Dwight Pounds Violist Diane Phoenix-Neal and violinist Joan Griffing (both USA) pre ented a lecture recital on the viola music of a relatively unknown French composer, Georges Migot-specifically a violin-viola duo. This composer apparently was quite popular in the 1920s and 30s but is virtu ally unknown today. Ms. Phoenix-Neal's good command of French made it obvious that she was well prepared for this type research and the subject was worthy of her efforts. Migot, con sidered a "group of one," was influenced musi cally both by Debussy and rhe much older French melodic tradition and by his love of nature. The Suit~ for Violin and Viola {1957) was an excellent example of his distinct and per sonal compositional style which featured dis tinctive bird calls and "the ebb and flow of the two intertwining voices." The very tonal uire itself came nicely to the ear and-if not necessari ly profound-nevertheless was one of the finest "new" (i n the sense of hitherto unknown) pieces of music presented at the congress and certainly One of the greatest challenges for a congress host is to program, and instruct presenters in such a way, that time constraints are observed. Keith Crellin, the con gress host did admirably in rhis regard. His wife, Ruth, and a group of mostly student assistants administered a smooth flow of events. Addendum to Day 2 by Carlos Marfa Solare: The evening concert featured Canadian, Steven Dann accompanied by Ben Martin. This concen brought a great revelation in the shape of Pierre de Breville's Sonara for viola and pimw. Breville was a stu dent of cesar Franck, and it shows more often than he might care, bur the piece is a beautiful addition ro our repertoire, being much better suited to the viola than any adaptation of the Franck Sonara will ever be (it also has a secod subject ro kill for!). Both players did the piece full justice. Dann finished his program, which also included shon pieces by Chrisms Hatz.is and Toru Takernitsu, with another Romantic rarity: Julius Rontgen's Sonata in C minor. aroused curiosity abour Migor's other viola compositions which include a solo sonata.

Day three - July 1 -began with a brisk walk under overcast skies to the beauriful burgundy draped Hartley Concen Room where some thiny viola stu dents, amateur , and professionals gathered for rhe 8:30a.m. Congress Viola Ensemble rehearsal. There sat Lawrence Jacks, a portly, bristle faced, fatherly gentleman, reputed to be " . .. one ofAustralia's most

P~rcussionist/Compour Daryl Pratt adjusting ~quipment whil~ Rog~r Bm~dict introduas.

Ali.Stralian violist William Lan~

experienced violists." Asked why the congress ensem ble was important Mr. Jacks responded "All come to hear great artists perform new and familiar repertoire. This ensemble is an opportunity for the attendees co be active participants and an integral pan of this 35th International Viola Congress." They worked on a Bizet Minuetto for four violas arr. by R.A Cohen, the

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