JAVS Spring 2007

Martha's performing career has expanded beyond classical playing to include improvisation, and she has appeared in the U.S. and Europe as pan ofa free improvisa tion duo. Today, three members of the original Cleveland Quartet are faculty members of the New England Conservatory and continue to work together closely (Martha, Weilersrein, and Paul Katz) . As Martha and I are waiting for Mr. Meyer, Martha talks to me about her thoughts on sound production and projection. She observes that perhaps in my interest in easing up the viola and looking for more responsiveness, the instrument might also lose some of irs depth and darkness. Martha talks about sound in terms of irs luminosity. As

one of her dear friends is a gem collector, she is inspired to com pare the ideal viola sound to a beautiful jewel with brilliance in the center surrounded by radi ance. She describes viola sound as similar to a Rembrandt painting one area of stunning light sur rounded by luminous dark areas. When we talk about how to pro duce that through the instrument, she comments, "In striving for a fully resonant sound you must realize that the viola is your col league and work equally together to produce a multi-layered sound. Give the bow to the viola and allow the instrument to support the bow, utilizing the left side of the body equally ro produce the resonant sound. You should not rely solely on the right side

because that can lead to the possi bility of producing a pressed sound." She has often mentioned to me that in a truly compelling sound there is both light and dark. I value these talks with Martha, and am always surprised and amused by the quick rurns our conversations take. In an oth erwise mundane conversation about what to wear or what food to buy, she often switches to a profound and poetic observation about teaching sound, or the lat est author she is reading. She often speaks about the nature of time or pulse when she is teaching or coaching as a way of addressing other musical issues.

Martha's viola studio at NEC is approximately twelve students. She

GEOFFREY OVINGTON MAKER OF VIOLINS, VIOLAS AND CELLI Instruments of Distinction Played Internationally

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