JAVS Summer 2001

51

FROM THE INTERNATIONAL VIOLA SOCIETY

concert was by the Moldovan art/folk/jazz group Trigon (viola, electric bass, and percus sion) featuring the electrically amplified "spo ken" and normally-fingered viola. In another unique presentation, Donald Maurice played a raga melody on viola with Tarlochan Singh on tabla and Rupa Maitra-Maurice on tan pura. At the general meeting of the IVS, plans were shared for possibilities of establishing new national sections in such countries as China, Taiwan, and India. The viola even inspired a state dinner, hosted by the Hon. Judith Tizard, New Zea land's Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and held in the beautiful New Zealand Parliament Building. IVS President Dalton told the assembly that "This must be the first time a state dinner has been held for the underdog of the string section." Massey University Chancellor Morva Croxson, Well ington Mayor Mark Blumsky, and other offi cials attended various functions and gave per sonal welcomes. Mark Blumsky charmed the delegates by pointing out that though he had donned a suit, a tie and his gold chain of office for us on a Sunday afternoon, he would not have done so for a group ofviolinists. In instance after instance, the attendees were touched by the civil ity and graciousness of all our hosts and made aware of the variety within the world community. This Congress, a day longer than many, included that usual frantic, exhausting, but exhilarating round of concerts, discussions, and master classes. Even the 8:00 a.m. joint playing sessions motivated over forty devotees (from some 200 attendees) into skipping a late breakfast in order to play viola literature. On Monday, a premiere of Notasonata for Massed Violists and Carillon included all vio lists. As the title implies, this innovative and charming work by Timothy Hurd reminds one of a composition by John Cage, but it may not be destined to become a performance staple due to the unique instrumentation. Another world premiere, After Bach for Rebab, 4 Solo Violas, 8 Viola Sections and Gamelan Orchestra by Jack Body was a tonal explosion of neo-baroque exoticism. Some 70 violists participated. As always, there were more magical and memorable musical moments at this congress

than one has the stamina to list or the space to record. The level of artistry was phenomenal. Among the many wonderful facets of a viola congress is the opportunity for students to interact with established performers, teachers, and scholars. I feel privileged, as the spouse of a violist, to be drawn into that community. -Margaret (Dwight) Pounds With the viola clef as compass, they came not as single soldiers but as a battalion for the Grand 2001 Viola Odyssey-from the skies of the Big Dipper to the down-under regions of the Southern Cross. Senior statesmen arrived in suits, ties, and polished dress shoes engulfed in the enthusiastic youthful contingent uni formed in denim and Birkenstocks with instrument cases resolutely affixed to one shoulder and backpacks on the other, faces aglow in anticipation of claiming the Golden Fleece of an International Viola Congress. Having witnessed this gathering of troops many times in Europe, Canada and the USA, I recognize its dynamic impact upon the eager participants (presenters, artists, observers, guests) and appreciate the genuine spirit ex changed at this annual event. As the gathering intensifies on opening day, one observes the clustered knots of viola compatriots back slapping, hugging, and laughing in a cacoph ony of voices swirling amid the inevitable background flavouring of instruments being tuned and tried under the proud guard of luthiers at their assigned display posts. The universal language of music prevails over arbi trary boundary lines of tongues and cultures, enveloping all comers so that Bach, Bartok, Brahms, or Bloch become the unifiers, the clef the Ensign, the location irrelevant. Although the location of a congress may be irrelevant so far as the actual music-making sharing experience is concerned, the signifi cance of the locale's uniqueness cannot be dis missed as inconsequential. To see and feel evidences of a people's history and proud her itage only adds depth to one's own awareness of the diversity of this planet's great global life line through the arts. With museums, gal leries, city streets, casual encounters with con genial residents, glimpses into a native folks'