JAVS Fall 1997

71

FORUM

Kievman, Uri Mayer, Patricia McCarty, Donald Mcinnes, Ernst Wallfisch, and Franz Zeyringer. The major attraction was that William Primrose had agreed to come. Prim rose was in Australia in late 1974; in a letter to me of 24 December he agreed to come if we could work out some travel problems he would have at the time of the congress. We were able to resolve the logistics of his travel to Ypsilanti from Banff, Canada, where he was to be teaching. This congress was a huge success with more than three hundred enthusiastic violists at tending the three days of concerts, lectures, master classes, workshops, exhibits, and other events. The presence of Primrose was a thrill for all; he played a Stamitz duo for two violas (with his outstanding former pupil, Donald Mcinnes), was honorary moderator of a panel discussion ("The Future for Violists Pro fessionally") gave a lecture with a Q&A session (I still have the questions that were posed and recall that his talk was videotaped), and was given an honorary doctorate by the University. Maurice and I kept up contact in subse quent years and met at other viola congresses. His History of the Viola in two volumes was a major contribution; he researched the viola, its history, and its performers as had not been done before. The last time I saw Maurice was at the viola congress in Bloomington, Indiana (1995). He was not well and seemed to move around with difficulty, but those who knew him saw a solid, dedicated man who had devoted much of his life and energies to our instrument. He had a great love for the viola, and his contri butions-hosting the first international viola congress on American soil, his scholarship, his presidency over the AVS (1981-86), and his unflagging belief in the future of the viola will not be forgotten. Though no longer with us, he leaves important legacies that will be around for a very long time.

"\VJhen the Viola Research Society was W formed in the early 1970s, one of the first and most enthusiastic to respond was Maurice Riley. As the society evolved and eventually grew into what is today the Ameri can Viola Society, Maurice, his enthusiastic wife, Leila, and family remained steadfast and loyal supporters. As I was overseeing the VRS then, it was gratifying to witness its growth here in the United States and to be the cata lyst for other countries to form chapters, such as those in Canada and England. The VRS was one of the early chapters of the Viola Forschungsgesellschaft (VFG), an exciting international concept created by Franz Zey ringer, Austrian violist, teacher, and author of that very important Litertur fur Viola. The international organization had already held two "international" viola congresses-small but enthusiastic affairs. Through the monetary support of the American chapter during those early years, the VFG was able to grow, con tinue its European congresses, and make what were then annual offerings of viola-related gifts such as viola music, monographs, and other items. It was Maurice who called me one evening to say, "How would you like to have an Inter national Viola Congress here in the United States at my university-Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti?" I didn't know Maurice at all and had never heard of Eastern Michi gan University. Maurice posed the idea to Zeyringer, who thought it a good one. Some months after, Maurice and I met in New York. He assured me of the University's support, monies that could be raised from arts and cul tural councils, good facilities, support from music faculty, and even an orchestra-the United States Air Force Orchestra-to assist in viola concerts. After many phone calls and letters, the Third International Viola Congress was born and took place 27-29 June 1975. Among the outstanding violists who appeared were Francis Bundra, Nathan Gordon (then princi pal viola of the Detroit Symphony), Louis

-Myron Rosenblum Sunnyside, New York