JAVS Fall 2006

By Mary Alice Rich (b. 1955)

Sonata for vio la and pi ano ( 1999)

movement is written in a strict 4/4 meter and d1c viola parr stays mosdy in fi rst po irion, only venturing up to the B-Aar (just above the fi rst parrial harmonic on the A-string) on one occasion. The second movement begins with a beautiful piano intro duction wh ich is then imitated in d1e viola entrance::. The chord progres sions in the movement are gorgeous and ometimcs very unexpected and poignant. The ending was a ljtde bir sudden and it lefi: me wishing I could hear some of the earlier materi- ;J aga in. Trus remark is nor a criti cism, bur a compliment to how gor geou the earlier material was. The highest nore of the sonata happens in d1e third to last bar of this move ment (the D jusr above d1c first par tial harmonic on the A-string), whid1 gives d1e impression of the move ment floating away in to the heavens. The thi rd movement is probably d1e most compositionally interesting as it is comprised ofa series on dance forms that come from highly varied sow-ces in music history sud1 as the Wal rz., the Gavotte, the Mazurka, and d1e Beguine. The work as a whole is written in a much more serious manner than the aforemen tioned Kerr. Bod1 the viola and piano parts arc well-wri tten idjomati cally, and d1c piece is pretty straight forward for the most part and wi ll probably come together very quickly. This work is highly recommended for anyone in terested in diversifying rheir recital rcperroire with a fresh, new, rarely-heard work. T his pi ece is ava ilable through: Fountain Park Music Publishing 2728 Asbury Rd. #207 Dubuque, lA 52001 (563)690-0151

T his sonata also mai ntains finn roots in ronality and is always pleasant to listen to. The fir t movement alter nates between parts with fust, driving syncopared rhythms and parts with longer lyrical lines and roll ing piano accompaniments that arc somewhat evoking of aim- aens. The ftrst

Allegro con brio Modcraro Dances

Difficul ty: Level 4 Duration: 17 minutes Dedica ti on: Paul Palmer

PETER ZARET & SONS VIOLINS, INC. 1-888-VIOLIN2 (84 6 -5462) 5767 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, OH 44124 email: pzaret@concentrlc.net

J U RNAL F T H E AMER I 'AN V I LA

I ETY_______

52