JAVS Spring 2014

books: those on British violists and the comprehen sive biography of Tertis himself. And cricket? I won dered at times where John summoned the time and energy that the research, writing, and publication of those volumes represented? We honor Carol, as well, for her supportive and telling role in her husband’s noteworthy achievements. Dwight Pounds : His dignity and dedication to the tasks at hand, whether in behalf of the viola or for cricket, were something to behold, evidenced not only by his books and editions of British viola music, but by the herculean task of having organized four international viola congresses. He is the only person to date to attempt—much less accomplish— such a feat. There is this to remember as John White’s ashes are committed back to the precious soil of yorkshire: he stood too tall, his shadow was too long, and his voice too strong to be contained by muted earth. Any time I read from Lionel Tertis or the Anthology , his voice will be heard with each word. If I glance at Melanie Stover’s portrait of John holding his Tertis biography, he will speak to me in his own hand, “To my ‘old’ friend. . . .” When I hear performances of twentieth-century British viola music—Anthony Collins, Margaret Hubicki, Alan Rawsthorne, Kenneth Harding, Gordon Jacob, into which he breathed new life well into his final illness—John will be holding the instrument and bow . . . though he never played a single note in my presence. As long as the history of our instrument endures, John White will be remembered as one of the great ser

vants of the viola, and I rather imagine that it will be remembered in Great Britain so long as a single viola player remains alive in the country. Ann Frederking : I first met John White in 1991 at the Ithaca Viola Congress and subsequently saw him at sev eral more congresses and viola events. He knew the major players in the British viola world and had endless stories about them. His contributions to the viola may be unparalleled, and he will be greatly missed. Thomas Tatton : When John traveled around the countryside coaching and otherwise working with youthful violists, he always put a smile on their faces with his kind and helpful comments—all will miss that now. I know his true love was always teaching, and there are cadres of young, and not so young, who benefited from his teaching. And many former students now carry on his personal, individual, and professional approach. Martin Outram : John has been a major figure in my life, and it has always been a great privilege to be his student, friend, and colleague. Like so many oth ers, I held him in the highest possible esteem. Countless musicians the world over will remain grateful to John for all he achieved and for his enduring inspiration to us all. Uta Lenkewitz-von Zahn : your friends from two continents gather around to thank you again for all that you have done for MUSIC, especially for the VIOLA and for all musicians around the world by your books and your teaching. you have used the

International Viola Congresses Organized/Hosted by John White

Congress No .

Location

Dates

Host(s)

IVC VI

London, England

June 9–11, 1978

John White and Nannie Jamieson

IVC XII

Isle of Man, UK Isle of Man, UK Glasgow, Scotland

August 22–27, 1984 John White August 24–28, 1994 John White

IVC XXII IVC XXVI

July 16–19, 1998 John and Carol White

and Jimmy and Dawn Durrant

J OURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VIOLA SOCIETy 8