JAVS Fall 1993

34

bility for it; if it is good, we can be warmed by the pleasure of accomplishment. No one can do it for us and no one can take away the personal pride of a performance well done. Perhaps the violist's greatest attribute is commitment. We are committed to music and to the viola in particular. I will be listening to the radio or television and hear that distinctive tone. "Listen to that!" I exclaim. "Listen to the violas." Isn't it wonderful? How perfectly that special sound works in the musical situation. Over the years we constantly seek new repertoire, and ask composers to write something special for us. We discuss repertoire amongst ourselves all the time, and trade music. A new record ing by a violist is an event. We share the experience of "what it means to be a violist" with each other, and are supportive of one another. However, it is not always easy to be a violist-sometimes we take unnecessary harassment from others, and much of the time we are ignored and our importance goes unrecognized. But we love the viola fervently and can not imagine playing any other musical instrument. This is what it means to be a violist. -Pamela Goldsmith .Los Angeles

panying musical figures, we know how to accommodate; we know when to play forte . and when to hold back, when to push the tempo and when to hold steady. We listen! We know the inner parts and how, without them, there would be almost no music at all. In fact, violists usually know more about the complete symphony or musical work than anyone else. Being in the auditory and geographic middle of the ensemble, we listen to everyone, all the time. We are aware of all that is going on, not just our part. We are good musicians! Perhaps it is egotistical, but I have always felt that violists were among the most intelligent humans. Certainly we are among the most interesting. Violists are involved with all sorts of projects. Among my col leagues are pilots, realtors, politicians, artists, doctors, lawyers, microbiologists, and so forth. Of course, many of us are teachers. It seems part of the personality profile of the violist to be a teacher, to want to share the musical experience and to encourage others, particularly young people, to enjoy music and the viola in particular. Learning to play the viola is a lesson in self-reliance. Whatever comes out of the viola is ours: if it is bad, we must assume responsi

~ ~ MUSIC FOR VIOLA ENSEMBLE • Fifteen Duets (Bach, Handel, and Telemann) • Ten Trios (Bach, Handel, and Telemann) Also available for two Violins and Viola • Advanced Duets (Telemann and CPE Bach)

• Pachelbel Canon (for Viola quartet) • Quatrabratsche Volum.es I and II

Thirteen Viola Quartets arranged by David M. Levenson Selections by Haydn, Mozart, Bacl\ Schubert, and more!

Latham Music Enterprises 1209 Gregory Street Greensboro, NC 27403 1-800-645-7022 (in US) or 910-299-2326 (FAX)

SeeKing origina{compositUJns or arrangements for sow viofa or viofa ensemEfefor pu6{uatWn