JAVS Fall 2016

The final piece on the Festival Closing Recital was a massive ensemble piece, Rise (and Shine), composed by Kenji Bunch. It was commissioned by the AVS, and Thomas Tatton conducted this world premiere performance. Master classes were also prolific. Robert Vernon told the audience to prepare Don Juan at [ = 160, and that since one can’t play as loud an orchestra, one shouldn’t even even try. “Never over-exaggerate dynamics or articulation,” he said, and espoused the five golden rules of winning an orchestral audition: correct articulation, correct intonation, correct rhythm, beautiful sound, and mature musical direction. He additionally suggested that consistency in execution will help. He also expressed, with great humility, that his job is to try and serve the conductor. Additionally, Professor Peter Slowik, of Oberlin College & Conservatory, gave a unique master class on chamber music excerpts, in which

event, performances of ensembles ranging from middle-school-aged to professional (including a quartet of Cleveland Orchestra violists!) could be heard. Members of viola ensemble Les Jeunes Altistes (left to right): Maeson Leonard, Nyla Bowen, and Alyssa Tuapen (photo credit: Claire Stefani).

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 32, No. 2, Fall 2016

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