JAVS Spring 2006

Bridge of Light for Viola and Orchestra ( 1990) Difficulty: Level 4/5 Duration: 17 minutes Dedication: Patricia McCarty I first heard this work performed by Patricia McCarty and the U.S. Air Force Orchestra at the XXHl International Viola Congress, and remember thinking it was a beauti fttl piece. I have since purchased the mtL~ic and recording [ECM 1450 with McCarty and the Fairfield Orchestraj and believe that this wo rk is one of the most gorgeous viola concertos written since the Martinu Rhapsody Concerto or the Vaughan Williams Suire for Viola and Orchestra. l find it especially refi·eshing char Jarrett feels completely comfortable in writ ing in a completely bold tonal fash ion, unaffected by more abstract composers ;u·ound him. l have heard some critiques that perhaps this piece is sometimes a bit "too lush," but that didn't bother me in the slightest; on the contrary, tlus piece wa~ a breath offi:esh air. Even though this concerto is fifteen years old , l have included it here because I am guessing that there are still many violists who have not heard this piece yet. I expect that this piece will eventually make an interesting diversion for students to learn; probably in the near future r wi ll be pawning this one off on one of mine to see how it goes!The technical writing is no r too strenu ous; the re are some double-stop sections that will need some work, bur the majority of d1e piece is very lyrical and will sui t violists with especially robust tones quire well. By Keith Jarrett (b. 1945)

This music is available through: Schott Publications (VAB 60) www.schott-mus ic.corn Key to rhe Difficul ty level chan: I Very Easy 2 Somewhat Easy 3 Intermediate 4 Somewhat Difficult 5 Difficult 6 Very Difficult

Please send al l viola scores for review consideration to: Kenneth Martinson, Viola Professor University of Florida School of Music, 3008 AUD P.O. Box 11 7900 Ga inesvill e, FL 32611-7900

PETER ZARET & SONS VIOLINS, INC. 1-888-VIOLIN2 (846-5462) 5767 Mayfield Rd., Cleveland, OH 44124 email: pzaret@concentrlc.net

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