JAVS Fall 2022

Some of the most brilliant viola teachers in the country and the world were also on hand at the conference for masterclasses. I, myself, had the opportunity to perform in a masterclass for Sheila Browne, who teaches at Lynn University. After watching her intuitive approach to the basic mechanics of the viola with some of the other participants in the masterclass, I enjoyed the advice she o ered me in matters of nuance of phrasing, projection, and performance. A major theme of many of the panels at the Festival was expanding the canon of viola music. One of the most important problems for violists today to solve is that, since most people didn’t think our instrument was a real instrument in its own right until about a hundred years ago, a satisfactory body of repertoire for our instrument

as much as it does a standard of technical playing. Ridout clearly understands that. Beyond the raw quality of his playing, he captivated the audience with charisma, humor, and thrilling showmanship, daring us to think his next trick would prove to be impossible. I have never heard anyone play the finale of the Hummel that fast. He did it without breaking a sweat. Natalie Loughran Concert Session, 2022 American Viola Society Festival & 47th International Viola Congress.

does not necessarily suggest itself as easily as it does for other instruments. Scores of presentations at the conference answered the call. Many presentations o ered violists an opportunity to learn and participate in various other genres of music, including Brazilian choro, jazz improvisation, and phrase sampling. The first night of the Festival & Congress even featured a Celtic Night at a nearby bar, where violists learned the basics of fiddling. I was also particularly pleased to see talks that made the case for expanding the classical canon of viola literature beyond the remarkably narrow scope of those few works by top tier composers that were originally written for viola, plus a few transcriptions. A shared recital introduced “Piéces de Concours,” pieces written for jury examinations for the viola class at the Paris Conservatoire. Many violists will be familiar with the concert piece for viola by György Enescu. It turns out that this was just one of a set of pieces written for this Jazz Improvisation Session, 2022 American Viola Society Festival & 47th International Viola Congress.

Timothy Ridout Showcase, 2022 American Viola Society Festival & 47th International Viola Congress.

I also thoroughly enjoyed hearing the finalists of the Youth Collegiate Solo Competition. The eventual winner, Carlos Walker, was particularly impressive, and I will be keeping a close eye on him as many should. He has a promising future ahead of him in music.

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Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 38, No. 2, Fall 2022