JAVS Fall 2000

70

VOL. 16 No.3

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY

Hindemith: Konzertmusik; Kammermusik 5; Der Schwanendreher; Trauermusik; Brett Dean, viola; Queensland Symphony Or chestra, Werner Andreas Albert, conductor; CRO 999 492-2 Review: With excellent recorded sound This is a winner. -Tully Potter, Strad Hindemith: Sonata for Viola and Piano, Opus 11#4; Trauermusik; Beale: Ballade for Viola and Strings; Bloch: Suite Hebraique; Kreisler: Praeludium and Allegro (arr. by Shumsky). Eric Shumsky, viola; Soloists of the Pacific Rim; Stephanie Leon, piano; Jonathan Shames, piano; Ambassador ARC 1011 Review: Although this disc was originally pro duced in 1994, it is one that it seems I missed along the way. If it seems that it is a tad closely miked-who cares, when the music is as lovingly played as this is. I love the edgy low notes that give the works a more dramatic feel. All the 20th-century compositions are deli ciously melodic. I also love the Kreisler with orchestral accompaniment. Highest recom mendation. Maderna: Viola; String Quartet; String Quartet in Two Tempos; Amanda (Cadenza); other short pieces. Garth Knox, viola; mem bers of the Arditti String Quartet; Auvidis M0782049 Review: ... The Ardittis, with their huge repertoire, are long since the heavyweight champions of that hard core, Darmstadt influenced modernism ofwhich Maderna was a perpetrator . . . recommended. -Richard Kirzinger, Fanfare Mendelssohn: Viola Sonata; Violin Sonatas #1-3; Kuniko Negato, viola, violin; Hirotoshi Kasai, piano; Talent DOM 2910 54 Review: I think Negata and Kasai do their most musical and sympathetic work in and for the viola sonata. -David K Nelson, Fanfare Casimir Ney: 24 Preludes; Erik Shumsky, viola; Vestige Classics Review: In 1999 a violist friend told me he had purchased the music to the 24 Preludes by Casimir Ney (who turns out to be Louis

conglomeration of discordant notes with little form or substance. Nuff said! I wish Ms. Kashkashian had spent time checking great works for viola and orchestra that need to be explored, such as concerti by Fricker, Hill, Forsyth, Milhaud, Hovland, just to name a few. Bridge: Amaryllis; Heart's Ease; Gondoliera; Pensiero; Allegro Appassionato and other short compositions; Louise Wtlliams, viola; David Owen Norris, piano; Jean Rigby, so prano; ASV CD DCA 1064 Review: ... throughout she displays a strong affinity with this music, her immaculate bowing technique helping to shape the works with the utmost affection ... strongly recom mended -David Denton, Fanfare Casadesus, Hoffmeister, Telemann, Hinde mith: Viola Concertos; Hartmut Rohde, viola; Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra Vilnius; George Mais, conductor; Arta Nove 74321 67502 2 Review: ... having dispatched Hoffmeister in model style, the young German soloist Hartmut Rohde and the first rate Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra perform the same for the Telemann viola concerto . . . at its bargain price the CD is a real snip. -Tully Potter, Strad Handel (Casadesus); Concerto for Viola; WF Bach: Sonata for Viola and Harpsichord; Harris: Soliloquy and Dance; Benjamin: Elegy, Waltz and Toccata; Cookie; Matty Rag; From Santo Domingo; Jamaican Rhumba; William Primrose, viola; Victor Symphony Orchestra; Frieder Weissman, conductor; Yella Pessl, harpsichord; Vladimir Sokoloff, piano; Johanna Harris, piano; Biddulph LAB 146 Review: I own all of these compositions on 78 RPM-but what a pleasure to hear them sounding even better in the transfer to CD. This is in the continuing series that Biddulph is putting out in the complete reissue of one of the greatest masters of the viola. If you don't have these discs you are missing the ultimate performance of these delightful compositions. Additional Review: . . . Altogether, another outstanding issue in Biddulph's invaluable series devoted to the art of one of the all time great violists. -julian Haylock, Strad