JAVS Summer 2021

Figure 2. New members of the American Viola Research Society.

listing the minutes of the latest Presidency meetings, announcements, introduction of new members, and listing new publication releases for viola. In the first fourteen newsletters, Rosenblum had the German content translated to English and added information pertaining to the American membership at the end; with Newsletter No. 15 in 1978, active American membership was such that he departed the European format and worked independent of European input. Also in 1978, the official and original name, “Viola Research Society,” was changed to “American Viola Society” in a broader effort to appeal to performers, teachers, luthiers, composers, publishers, and commercial outlets in addition to scholars. It is important however to note that the first two international viola congresses in North America, International Viola Congress ( IVC ) III in Ypsilanti, MI, in 1975, and IVC V in Rochester, NY, in 1977, were held under the Viola Research Society name. It is of equal importance to note that the original Viola Forschungs-Gesellschaft was organized in response to a stipulation in the Pöllauer Protokoll , the source document of viola organization, written in 1965 by Dietrich Bauer and Franz Zeyringer. 3 The document had stipulations for two separate functions: establish a research body for the viola and schedule viola congresses at appropriate intervals to service viola performance and scholarship. The resulting institutions were the Viola Forschungs-Institut, now defunct, but which in time became the Primrose International Viola Archive ( PIVA ), and the Viola Forschungs-Gesellschaft (VFG), which became the overall parent body. 4

important thoughts to bear in mind as you proceed. In addition to the accounts above, Rosenblum ran the VRS for several years off of his dining room table having at his disposal primarily a typewriter and a mimeograph machine as his means of conducting business and communication. In addition to his credentials as founder, Dr. Rosenblum was also the first Society president and first Newsletter editor. 5 As stipulated in the Pöllauer Protokoll , the primary requirement of the VFG was to have congresses. IVC I and IVC II were relatively small, two-day affairs held respectively in Ulm (1973) and Bad Homburg (1974), Germany, organized and hosted by two of the organizational founders, Dr. Wolfgang Sawodny and Walter Lebermann. They probably would have remained a German/Austrian or at least a European affair for some time had it not been for a visit by Dr. and Mrs. Maurice Riley to Dietrich Bauer in Kassel who took them to the Bellevue Palace, a local museum, to show them the modest beginnings of the Viola Archive. 6 During a discussion of the concept of “viola congresses,” Riley asked his host why such a meeting could not be held in the United States. Bauer answered, “Because we have never been invited.” Riley replied, “Well, in that case I am inviting you to have a viola congress in the United States.” Although Riley personally was convinced that such a congress held enormous potential, his invitation was entirely spontaneous. Bauer was obviously impressed and took the proposal to the VFG Presidium. Thus, and almost on a whim, was the groundwork for the first North American viola congress laid. Upon their return to the United States, the Rileys visited Myron Rosenblum, president of the very new American VFG, in New York. Skeptical at first, Rosenblum became convinced by Riley’s arguments and supportive of an American viola congress, and discussions with Zeyringer began. 7 Maurice Riley and the Viola Congress Concept

Myron Rosenblum and the VRS

Before going further into the historical narrative, please permit a few words regarding the accomplishments and dedication of the Society founder, Dr. Myron Rosenblum,

Journal of the American Viola Society / Vol. 37, 2021 Online Issue

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