JAVS Spring 2010

dued, very much like Kimber’s Evocations for 3-part Viola Ensemble . The whole work has a dark quality with a constant tension that follows the story of the American Indian man mentioned in the notes. There is also a primitive quality to the work, which adds to this impressionism. Compositionally, the style reminds me a little bit of Martinu, especially his symphonies, in his usage of long lines and off beat rhythms. The work is for 4-part viola ensemble with frequent divisis and an occasional “solo,” so this work would really not work as a viola quartet, but only as a large ensemble. Technically speaking, the work is not too difficult to play, but the work does demand a higher level of musical maturity from the performers to pull it off. Lamb is a well-seasoned composer and makes excellent use of dynamics and tempo indications to add variety to the work. This work should certainly be conducted as well to help bring off all the nuances in the score. I also really enjoyed the use of harmonies in this work; it was always pleasant to listen to, and when dissonances were used, they were done so sparingly and effective ly. I love it when composers write slow music that is

tonal and lyrical, but they are not afraid to use har monies where the interval of the minor second is exploited in tense moments. Overall I found this to be a well-crafted, emotionally moving work, well deserving of future performances for massed viola ensemble performances.

This work is available directly through the composer at: mllamb@ou.edu

Key to the Difficulty level chart: 1 Very Easy 2 Somewhat Easy 3 Intermediate 4 Somewhat Difficult 5 Difficult 6 Very Difficult

Please send all scores for review consideration to:

Kenneth Martinson 2751 SE 24th Place Gainesville, FL 32641

Geoffrey Ovington

J OURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETY 70