JAVS Fall 2011

“Alexander Technique for Musicians,” Claudine Bigelow’s “Discussion of Primrose and his Legacy,” and Benjamin Loeb’s “Chamber Music with Piano Master Class—how to Maximize the Balancing of Piano and Strings.” Several Primrose Competition past-laureates were featured in two recitals: Karin Brown, Che-yen (Brian) Chen, Kirsten Docter, and Nokuthula Ngwenyama with pianist Benjamin Loeb combined efforts in a June 3 program that included two world premiere arrangements: Sonata for Viola and Piano, K. 332, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as arranged by Alex Smith and Requiem for Three Violas, op. 66, by David Popper as arranged by pianist Benjamin Loeb. Dimitri Murrath, winner of the 2008 competition, was featured in a solo recital on the evening of June 4.

most challenging for contestants, jurors, and visitors alike, with multiple performances of the Walton and Bartók concerti and hindemith’s Schwanendreher . The second day featured solo works and “show” pieces and provided infinitely more variety, with various move ments from the Bach solo suites, selections from Efrem Zimbalist’s Sarasateana collection, and others. Nor was the competition the only attraction during this six-day viola festival—IVS President Ken Martinson conducted a play-in for interested partici pants every morning. The company owner and luthi er, Don Robertson, hosted a workshop on basic instrument care and adjustment, and this writer (or Dwight Pounds) discussed and demonstrated practical and useful techniques in teaching viola to violinists. Other workshops during the opening days included: “Viola Design and Ergonomics,” with official competition luthier, Jardón Rico; “International Viola Society Relief Projects,” with IVS President Kenneth Martinson; “Social Media and your Musical Career,” with Adam Cordle; “Practicing Sound Production—how to Incorporate Primrose’s Special Exercises,” with yizhak Schotten; and master classes by Luis Magín and Karen Ritscher. The following days included addi tional master classes by Kimberley Fredenburgh, Wing ho, Kirsten Docter, Barbara Westphal, and Juliet White-Smith. Special presentations included Christine Rutledge’s lecture/demonstration on “Baroque Style and Ornamentation,” Karen DeWig’s

From left to right: violists Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Kirsten Docter, and Che-Yen (Brian) Chen perform with pianist Benjamin Loeb at the Primrose Laureates’ recital

The competitors ranged in age from eighteen to twenty-eight. The nine who were twenty-two or younger did not appear to be intimidated by their older colleagues—three of their number were select ed as quarterfinalists and one a finalist. A very few and brief personal impressions: The first competitor to perform and one of the few quarterfinalists from a state university (university of Texas), Ksenia Zhuleva, set a very high standard with beautiful, sensitive playing and a well-prepared program. Bogdan Banu absolutely “nailed” the very difficult Novacek Perpetuum Mobile . Elias Goldstein impressed with beautifully balanced technique and

Claudine Bigelow presenting on Primrose’s legacy

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