JAVS Fall 2003

R. Fuchs: Phantasiestiicke; Jutta Puchhammer-Sedillot, viola;

oughly idiomatic if occasionally muffled performances. There's an... intensity to the playing here, a concrete edge too, that frames the turbulent, deracinated emotions to bleak perfection. Demanding but rewarding. Michael Quinn, Gramophone Villa-Lobos: Duo for Violin and Viola; String Trio; Deux Choros for Violin and Cello; Choros for #2 for Violin and Cello; Jiirgen Weber, viola: and others; CPO 998 827-2 ... Hans Kolofusz and Jiirgen Weber are well matched in the Duo... with skill and subtlety color... Robert Stowell Strad Viola Romantic Fantasies: Reinecke: Fantasiestiicke; P. Scharwenka; Sonate fantasia; Joachim: Theme and Variations;

Walton: Concerto for Viola, Britten: Concerto for Violin; Maxim Vengerov, viola and violin; London Symphony Orchestra, Mstislav Rostropovich, Conductor EMI 557510-2 ... here you have some of the most ravishing string playing I have ever heard in either of these master pieces...just as much .. .in the larger instrument as the violin. Here, again, above the stave brings many moments of total magic. Edward Greenfield, Gramophone [Note: I believe this is the debut performance of Mr. Vengerov on the viola.] Telemann: Concerto for Viola; J.C. Bach: Concerto for Viola; Vivaldi: Concerto for Viola (Arr. from Lestro Armonico); Britten: Lachrymae (Arr. for Viola and Strings); Bruch: Kol Nidre (Arr. for Viola and Strings by Eric Shumsky); Eric Shumsky, viola; Dorel Pascu-Radulescu, conductor; Concerto Orchestra-Bucharest Vestige Classics This is a lovely, lovely disc. Eric Shumsky is one of my all time favorite violists for solo as well as chamber recordings. This may be his first solo recording with orches tra. The Concerto Orchestra is made up of a very talented group of young musicians under the leadership of its founder Mr. Pascu-Radulescu. Mr. Shumsky ends with two melancholy works and the last one reminded me of my days as a professional singer performing the Kol Nidre in Temple in the mid-west and Long Island. Highest recommendation. B

Elise Desjardins, piano; Edectra ECCD-2060

...The violist and pianist adjust their performances to the very different demands these works make on them... Recommended, principally, though not exclusively, to viola afi cionados and to the inquisitive. Robert Maxham, Fanfare Viola and the Winds: Jerzy Sapieyevsky; Concerto for Viola and Winds; Holst: Terzetto; Anthony Plog: Four Miniatures for Viola and Winds; Karl Kohn: Colla Voce; James Dunham, viola; Westwood Wind Quintet, Jack Saunders, guitar; Crystal Records CD647

I've had most of these works on LP since it was available in the early

1980's. I thought that James Dunham was an excellent violist and that the program was most interesting. I remember that the entire record was about 37 minutes, not really enough to put on a CD. Mr. Christ, the oboist on this record is also the owner of Crystal Records and has put out quite a number of viola records. A work for viola and guitar was added to fill the pro gram but still the total time of the disc is only 46.24. I hope lovers of the viola with overlook the time factor and avail them selves of a very interesting recording.

Introducing 2 new compositions for the serious violist by American composer Sarah DuBois

3 movements for solo viola "Compel1ing harmonies and rhythms"

Sonata for Solo Viola "Contemporary with classic form"

Available only at Shar music $7.50 each plus shipping

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Toll Free by Phone: 1.800.248.shar (7427) Secure Web Order: www.sharmusic.com

JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 84