JAVS Fall 1995

65

William Primrose became a full-time violist as an adult, certainly in part because he was encouraged, rather than discouraged, to do so. Let us be welcoming in our attitude towards those fiddlers who take the trouble to learn our clef and judge a performance strictly on its merits. Having spent my entire musical life as a violist, I am quite familiar with the senti ments that must underlie Mr. Hall's comments. I'm not saying we have to like it when violinists play the viola. I am saying that we should be more gracious.

Phillip M Rose Wellington, New Zealand

"Editor's note: Primrose's views on the subject can be found in print in Playing the Viola: Conversations with William Primrose by David Dalton, Oxford University Press, 1988, pages 12-13.

Samuel Koistein " Son Ltd.

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