JAVS Spring 2019

Example 3. George Rochberg, Violin Concerto (piano reduction), mvt. II, mm. 116–120.

Example 4. George Rochberg, Viola Sonata, mvt. I, mm. 188–191.

All of these works are worthy of further listening and study, and any of them could pair with the Viola Sonata for possible programming choices. It should be noted that all of Rochberg’s string music—while mostly tonal and accessible—is technically and musically demanding. Therefore, it is appropriate for only more advanced players to tackle.

birth—critics and scholars continue to debate his place and importance in the late-twentieth century musical landscape. Depending on one’s perspective, Rochberg is regarded as either a radical anomaly, a conservative traditionalist, or simply a curiosity. 17 Regardless of one’s opinions about Rochberg’s place in contemporary music, violists can be thrilled that he gifted us the viola sonata. Composed in the midst of his most oft performed stretch of chamber works, it stands as an important contribution to the viola repertoire. It remains popular with both performers and audiences, forty years after the extraordinary circumstances of its premiere.

Conclusion

Rochberg’s career stands apart from his compositional contemporaries. Following retrospectives and celebrations of Rochberg in 2018—the centennial year of his

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 35, No. 1, Spring 2019

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