JAVS Fall 1989

important to the composer here, since the rhythms and even the melodic inflections seem derived from the poetry. The starting point for the text is Psalm 130. Thomas Campion, who is credited for the words, was an Elizabethan poet and lute-song composer (also a physician) who either retranslated or, more likely, paraphrased freely most of the well- known psalm. The solo viola functions somewhat like a protagonist, stating motivic material used later by the choir, embellishing, commenting, restating, and emphasizing. Mr. Pinkham writes for the instrument so masterfully that he might be suspected of being a closet violist; at the very least he is getting first-rate advice. There are no pyrotechnics here, just good melodic writing that allows the instrument to sound its best. The harmonic style is dissonant, basically triadic, elusively modal, with tonal centers shifting, eventually landing on A. Straightforward four-four time provides the singers logical rhythms and ample opportunity to pronounce the words. De Profundis is a just-right five minute anthem for a church that takes its music seriously and likes a little variety. Albumblatt (Album leaves) by Bertold Hummel is a forty-three measure morceau for viola and piano. Its limited technical demands and mildly dissonant harmonic style would make it a good vehicle for introducing a young violist to 20th century music. The viola meanders pleasantly, if morosely, in a song-like melody (vaguely reminiscent of Hugo Wolf or Max Reger), while the piano provides harmony with lots of open fourth and fifths. The piece is written with no key signature, although it seems clearly in G-minor. It's rhythmically traditional, in three-four time. Since relatively easy 20th century teaching material is in such short supply, this work could fill a real need. Basic Bach for the Young Violist, an album of ten short works arranged for viola with piano accompaniment, should fill a need also. They range in difficulty from that which could be played after

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Symphony Orchestra at the age of twelve and again at sixteen. He entered the Juilliard School at seventeen and studied the violin with Louis Persinger and the viola with Milton Katims. Mr. Greitzer was drafted In World War II, saw action and was decorated in the Battle of the Bulge. On his return to civilian life, he decided to concentrate on the viola. Mr. Greitzer is survived by his wife, Shirley Greitzer, a pianist and teacher. DOKTOR HONORED A Memorial Tribute was given on 2 October 1989 for Paul Doktor who died in June of this year. It was held at the C. Michael Paul Recital Hall at the Juilliard School, Lincoln Center. Works by Gordon Jacob, Brahms, Marais, and Bach were presented by violists Paul Neubauer, Samuel Rhodes, Walter Trampler, Emile Simonel, Meredith Snow, David Harding, Daniel Thomason, Kristen Linfante, Heidi Castleman, and other assisting artists. New Works De Profundis for four-part mixed voices and viola with optional organ. By Daniel Pinkham. lone Press, Inc., 1989. Sole Selling Agent: E.C. Schirmer Music Company, Inc., Boston. Albumblatt for viola and piano. By Bertold Hummel. N. Simrock, Hamburg London, 1989. Selling agent: Theodore Presser Co., Bryn Mawr. Basic -Bach for the Young Violist. Edited and arranged by Alan Arnold. Viola World Publications, 1989. Huntington Station, New York. Three ·small, useful, but distinctly different publications of music for viola have made their debuts this year. De Profundis by Daniel Pinkham is for solo viola and S.A.T.B. choir, with organ optional and certainly not necessary, as it doubles the voices. The text is