JAVS Fall 2011

F RESH F ACES : B RETT D EUBNER S OMETHING O LD (H IS 1786 G AGLIANO ), S OMETHING N EW (A C ONCERTO )...

effective self-marketer, he has honed his skills in working with people to build a multi-faceted career involving chamber music, teaching, and recording, but it is his singular achievement in propa gating new works for the viola that stands above the rest. For Deubner and the viola it may have been a case of opposites attracting. A self-described “triple A” personality, Deubner is—even via e-mail—outgoing, upbeat, energetic, and responsive. What appealed to him about the viola, however, were its introverted, sad, and somber characteristics. Nevertheless, it was a match that has brought much new music for the viola to life, with Deubner tak ing pride in bringing out both the virtuosity and the expressivity of the instrument. his personable nature and curiosity about con temporary music has fashioned his approach to meeting composers and conductors. It is this personal method, using all the tools of modern Internet networking, that has enabled him to connect all the dots in commissioning and pre miering new works. Deubner describes the multi-lay ered process of finding composers in this way: “I would go on the Internet and listen to their music. If I liked it, I would introduce

Brett Deubner

by Lembi Veskimets

viola would be his instrument. Since then, he has become a dedi cated suitor and provider for the viola. A total of twenty-seven con certi have been written for him, which he has premiered in the united States and abroad, as well as numerous works for solo viola and more than ten sonatas. An

The first time Brett Deubner played a viola as a violin major during his sophomore year at Eastman, he fell in love immedi ately. Overwhelmed emotionally with “the sound, the richness, the colors, everything,” he knew the

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