JAVS Summer 1989

17

Readers interested in obtaining the score of this work are advised to contact The South African Music Rights Organization, P.O. Box 9292, Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa. The extent of the South African viola repertoire from its beginnings in 1917 to the present is substantial if one considers the range of works written and the large proportion they comprise within the total output of South African chamber music. Its diversity includes a concerto, various accompanied sonatas, an unaccompanied sonata, short character pieces, a suite for instrumental ensemble for modern dance, and a substantial solo in a ballet, Exequy, by Aubrey Meyer. The styles employed range from late-romantic to strictly serial, and the technical demands from moderate to virtuoso. South African viola works seem to be regarded with some reserve by the South African musical profession despite their potential international status. There are many possible reasons for this, as outlined in my introduction. A renaissance of composers', performers' and makers' attitudes towards the viola in this country seem long overdue. It is hoped that this will be nurtured before the turn of the century. Martin Smith was born in Johannesburg and graduate in 1983 with a B. Mus Hons degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg . Research in the field of South African Viola Music has been an ongoing activity since 1982. Apart from publishing two articles in a South African music periodical . he delivered a paper on the same subject during the 1988 International Viola Congress held in Kassel. West-Germany. He is currently studying towards a Masters Degree in Musicology at the University of Natal, Durban .•