JAVS Fall 2005

By jennifer Drake

from him about his rime in Iceland, Dave would share tales of orchestra tours that all seemed to culminate in lcim spending the night in an alternative sleeping venue, such as a pile of hay in a barn .

formance) Why, hello, Jen! So, how old do you think d1is Michael Hall chap is, then? ME: Well , T think he's about my age, mid thir ties or so, maybe a li t tle older. 1 guess be's about 35? WILLIAM: (shocl

When T found out T had been invited to perform at rhe 33rd International Viola Congress in Reykjavik, kelancl , 1 was thrilled. 1 would spend time wid1 great viola players! l'd get to experience a new, interest ing coun try. Plus, the trip would afford the opporrwuty to do much-needed reconnaissance work on my friend and colleague, David Johnson. Dave is the assistant principal vio list of d1e Boise Philh

Day 1: Master Class with Yuri Bashmet

The first evenr of the Congress was a master class, led by Yuri Bashmer.

Like I said, he had something encouraging for eve1yone!

Congress organizers, Scsselja Hall dorsdottir and Gudrun

The master class wirh Yuri afforded many opportuni ties to listen ro him play. When his English wOLJd run out, Yuri would simply rake rhe student's viola and demon sn·are.

Thorari nsdortir, incorporated pro fessionals and students alike into this class. Helga T horaninsdorrir, the principal violist of the Iceland Symphony O rchestra performed Schubert's Arpergione. Next was Ragnheidur Jonsdottir, performing Schwnann's Mdrchenbitder, and dw1 William Lane. William Lane is a 23 year old vio list from Australia. He performed ar several master classes as well as wim Garth Knox and Carlos Maria Solare dur ing the Congress. In add ition to consisrenrly per forming well , William is a tremen dously nice guy. Pull of end1Usi asm, grace and kindness, William had something encouraging to say to everyone. One of my favorite moments with William went something like this: ME: H i there, William! WTLUAM: (s tudying a picture of fellow violist Michael Hall, wbo had earlier pur on a marvelous per

Day 2: Opening Ceremonies

Day Two was the official starr to the Congress. Most events were ar the Culture House, a building ded icated ro all facers of Icelandic ctJ ture. T he morning master classes were led by Claudine Bigelow and Matthew Dane, and featured tal ented young Icelandic violists. Dan Barach led a class about the Alexander Technique. A lecture about the history of Iceland ic music, led by Bjarki Sveinbjornsson, followed. T he opening ceremon ies, held in the afternoon, began with opening remarks by IVS President Michael Vidu lich and Iceland Viola Society President Sessclja Halldorsdottir. Next was a performance by Suzuki

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