JAVS Spring 1994

39

ABOUT VIOLlSl~S

Milton Katims, in a recent announcement by International Music Company, was con gratulated by that publishing firm on a notable fiftieth anniversary of his affiliation as editor of IMC viola editions. Katims has just released in limited edition two CD sets of his recordings of the Bach Viola (Cello) Suites and Gamba Sonatas. ~ Kirsten Docter, winner of the first prize in the Primrose Memorial Scholarship Competition at Ithaca in 1991, and a 1992 graduate of Oberlin Conservatory, became the violist of the Cavani Quartet in September 1993. The Cavani Quartet is the Quartet-in-residence at the Cleveland Institute of Music and plays over thirty concerts a year throughout North America and Europe. Ms. Docter's teachers have been Alice Preves in Minneapolis, Lynne Ramsey and Jeffrey Irvine at Oberlin, and Karen Tuttle at the Curtis Institute. She also was awarded the first prize in viola, the Nathan Gordon Award, at the 1992 ASTA Solo Competition. ~ Patricia McCarty in recent seasons has appeared as soloist with the Orchester der Beethovenhalle in Bonn and Cologne, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Detroit Symphony, and the Fairfield Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall, performing Keith Jarrett's Bridge of Light, which she commissioned, premiered, and recorded on a new ECM compact disc. Since resigning from the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she has made a solo debut tour of Japan, appearing with the Shinsei Nihon and Kyoto symphonies and in chamber music concerts throughout Hokkaido. At the request of the concert pre senter, the latter programs included her arrangement of Elgar's Salut d'Amour for viola and piano, in honor of the wedding of the Crown Prince, who is himself a violist. During 1994-1995, McCarty will per form with pianist Ellen Weckler throughout the U.S., supported by her second Solo Recitalist Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Yuri Bashmet has been named, along with Lynn Harrell, Gidon Kremer, Christian Lindberg, and Yo-Yo Ma, "Instrumentalist of the Year" by BBeMusic Magazine.

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Paul Coletti, assisted by Jeffrey Shumway, performed a Primrose Memorial Concert and taught a master class at Brigham Young University in March. Works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Clarke, Tchaikovsky-Primrose, and Schumann. Karen Dreyfus and Glenn Dicterow, concertmaster of the New York Phil harmonic, performed the world premiere of William Thomas McKinley's Concert Variations at Town Hall in January. They were assisted by the Manhattan School of Music Sinfonia. Karen Ritscher, assisted by Jeffrey Cohen, performed at the Mannes College of Music in February. Works by Britten, Hindemith, Gardner, and Bliss. Judy Geist, member of the Philadelphia Orchestra, performed in April at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. Works by Schubert, Rochberg, Hindemith, and Clarke. 1IIIilllll.lllllllli·iI1111111111111111111111111~11~11111111111111111111111111 A Viola Festival 1994 was held for three days in February at Old Harlow, Essex, in England under the artistic direction ofJohn White to honor Watson Forbes. Forbes, Scottish violist and teacher, is best known for his numerous editions and transcriptions for viola. John White is in the process of editing an autobiography ofWatson Forbes and compiling an anthology of British viola players. Scores of musicians took part in the festival and numerous viola compositions-some generally familiar, most unfamiliar-were performed.