JAVS Fall 1993

7

CHICAGO CONGRESS REVISITED

TTf

by Lisa Hirschmugl

Some interesting numbers appeared at the XXI International Viola Congress in Chicago this past sum.mer: 54 greatly talented and generous violists shared their talents with 300 people who attended the congress and were treated to 37 20th century, 5 19th century, and 13 18th century pieces, ofwhich 12 were for solo viola, 13 for viola and piano, and 8 for multiple violas. In addition, 5 were concertos, 2 were for viola and tape, and 10 for interesting chamber groups. 26 fine young. violists competed in the Primrose Competition, 19 professionals participated in lectures and/or panel discussions, and 4 artist teachers gave master classes featuring 16 students. The XXI Congress ran for five days, Wednesday, June 23 through Sunday, June 27, on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, under the direction of Peter Slowik, host chair. The early part of each day featured master classes, lectures, and panel discussions. Art ist teachers included Jeffrey Irvine, Robert Vernon, Michael Tree and Heidi Castleman. Lecturers included violists Alan De Veritch ("The Sensual Viola: A Unique Approach to I Musical Interpretation"), Thomas Tatton ("Games High School Violists Should Play"), Milton Preves ("My Collaborations with Ernest Bloch"), Frank Babbitt ("Understanding j;lindemith's Harmonic Language"), and VDonald Maurice ("New Light on the Bartok Concerto"); violist/composer Nathanial Tull Phillips ("Live Interactive Performance-the Viola and Computer"); and medical doctor

Alice Brandfonbrener, a performing artist's specialist. Panel discussions featured Aliza Appel, Pamela Goldsmith, Judson Griffen, and David Miller with Peter Slowik as moderator ("His torically Informed Viola Performance"), and Valerie Diamond, Richard Ferrin, Ralph Fielding, Lynne Ramsey, and Robert Vernon with Alan De Veritch as moderator ("Current Issues Facing Orchestral Violists"). Charles Pikler was featured in the luthiers demonstra tion playing the instruments of many fine contemporary makers, and Paul Coletti dem onstrated several historic violas at the Bein and Fushi String Instrument Shop ("Great Violas of the World: A Tonal Demonstration"). a series ofconcerts. Three performers presented full length recitals. Atar Arad, assisted by violist Amadi Hummings and pianist Jeremy Denk, gave a stunning performance of works by Leclair, Ravel, Bridge, Khachaturian, Schumann and Bartok, as well as a fine piece of Arad's own composition Solo Sonata for Vipla. Yitzak Schotten treated the audience to a variety of beautiful sound combinations in his chamber recital, featuring works by Hindemith (Trio for Viola, Saxophone and Piano, op. 47), Brahms (Trio in A for Viola, Cello and Piano, op. 114), and a wonderful piece by Jan Bach, who gave a short talk before the work was performed ("Eisteddfod: Varia tions and Penillion on aWelsh Harp Tune, for Viola, Flute and Harp"). Schotten was joined by Donald Sinta, saxophone; Katherine Collier, piano; Anita Miller-Rieder, flute; Faye Seeman, harp; and Anne Martindale Williams, cello. Paul Coletti presented a delightful recital fea turing music of Bach, Bolling, Bax and Clarke. Coletti was joined by Peter Slowik in a Bach duo concerto, and by the trio ofJeffreyBradetich, bass; Sylvia Wang, piano; and David O'Fallon, drums, for the Bolling. Wang also collaborated with him in the Rebecca Clarke Sonata. CONCERTS The afternoons and evenings each featured