JAVS Fall 1992

27

misleading, at least for the player: Benjamin's Jamaican Rumba is deceptively difficult. Kathryn Plummer's flawless technique and impeccable intonation resulted in a performance which may have appeared effortless, but wasn't. Even the great William Primrose prepared it carefully, and it was his arrangement! One presumes Mr. Reed has heard of William Primrose. On the whole, I suggest that the unfounded, condescending and biased comments in this important review reveal Mr. Reed to be reluctant to attend and unprepared to review this recital and therefore poorly qualified to write critically about either the viola or its literature. Had he visited with any active violists, he may have learned why they love their instrument: because of the big, warm and beautiful, mellow sound it produces! Had he visited Blairs music library, perhaps he would have found a copy of Franz Zeyringer's LiteraturfUr Viola, which lists thousands of works for viola in every conceivable instrumental combination. Perhaps then his approach to the review would have been curiosity, anticipation, a willingness to expand his musical expertise and the desire to share these insights with his readers.

cc:

Dwight Pounds, Ph.D. Bowling Green, Kentucky

Jerome Reed Kathryn Plummer

SM.\LL BASS VIOLIN

OF INTEREST

Chapters of the American Viola Society

In the spirit of the recommendation by AVS Officers and Board at their past board meetings in Ithaca, New York and Idyllwild, California, this past year has shown a marked increase in activity focusing on the viola in local areas. This has taken form in various events generally described as "Viola Day" or "Viola Celebration," and has

resulted in the formation of local or state chapter of the AVS. News was received of a lively viola evening with various soloists and ensembles in Los Angeles and the Midwest Viola Day in Chicago. The founding of the New York Viola Society with Rosemary Clyde, chair, and also the Utah Viola Society with Michael Palumbo, chair, is announced.

Margin graphics from Geigenverbesserer by Alexander Buchne~ Verlag Das Musikinstrument, Frankfurt/Main, and Ancetres du Violin by Laurent Grillet,

Librairie Generale des Arts Decoratifs, Charles Schmid, Editellr, Paris, 1901

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