JAVS Fall 1997

93

A VS President Thomas Tatton played a benefit recital on 19 October 1997 in support of orchestras of the Lincoln Unified School District. Dr. Tatton ("Dr. Tom" to his appreciative following), director of orchestras at Lincoln High School and string specialist with the Stockton area school district, was accompanied my Merridee Holdsworth, also a Lincoln High School faculty member. The program was a "musical bouquet," a collection of old favorites: Dvorak's Humor esque, Kreisler's Schon Rosmarin, Saint-Saens' "The Swan," and other works interspersed with movements from Bach's C-major Suite. Susan Marie Hall, our NCVS treasurer, who attended the event, reports that the recital including the reception afterward-was very enjoyable and the guest artist well received. NCVS member Don Ehrlich, a popular and respected member of the San Francisco Symphony, has received considerable publi city in recent weeks. His ergonomic Pelle grino viola, made by David Rivinus, was fea tured in a New York Times-Living Arts article 4 August 1997, followed a few days later (7 August) by a commentary by Edward Rothstein. Other press and television organi zations have expressed interest in providing further coverage. Don modestly told me, "This much press will stretch my fifteen min utes of fame to half an hour." He deserves far more than that. (We were stand partners in the Symphony for several years: I know how good he is.) On 26 October at the San Francisco Con servatory of Music, Don gave a recital in Hellman Hall. NCVS secretary and recital attendee Ted Seitz liked both the instrument itself and the music (the Brahms F-minor, the Arpeggione, and two contemporary works by Tom Flaherty and Eleanor Armor). Don Ehr lich and David Rivinus continue to experi ment with the set-up on his instrument (Don't we all?), but it does seem to be here to stay. On 27 October (head-to-head against Monday Night Football) the NCVS held an open house at Golden Gate Apple School in Kensington. Two-hundred and fifty NorCal

violists were invited. The actual turnout was less than that. (Small and enthusiastic is what keeps organizations going and growing.) Several future activities for the society were discussed. Possibilities included encouraging violists to offer demonstrations in their local public schools (or before any other interested organization), holding a viola play-in or marathon around Valentine's Day, and orga nizing a program of local meetings, recitals, and master classes. Northern California is a very big area, and a network of local events will help keep everyone involved. Geraldine Walther, principal violist of the San Francisco Symphony, continues to be very busy. In the week of 17 November she performed the Walton Concerto three times with the Symphony. I attended the open dress rehearsal for the series-and it was wonder ful! Geraldine plays with such devoted con centration that she gives an added dimension of expression to whatever she presents. She is also scheduled to play a recital at Old First Church in late November.

-Tom Heimberg, Kensington