JAVS Summer 2021

performed by Ernst Wallfisch and Francis Bundra, violists, and Lauri Wallfisch, harpsichordist. The ripieno was performed by over one hundred violists, cellists, and double bass players. Dr. Edward Szabo conducted. For the second reading, the entire group of over one hundred violists played the two solo viola parts. For those in the audience, the overall sound was thrilling and awe inspiring. 8 Should anyone think that an inordinate amount of attention is being paid to the first North American viola congress, allow me to stress that its precedents were world-wide and, as we might colloquially say today, it cast the proverbial “long shadow.” Franz Zeyringer’s IVC III summary was unrestrained: This congress was a milestone in the development of the VFG and viola congresses! Four hundred participants [sic], an artistically outstanding concert program, interesting presentations and, for those of European background, an unimaginable enthusiasm distinguished this congress. The presence of the great master, William Primrose, and the first direct contacts between European and American violists pressed upon this unique viola celebration the stamp of excellence! Now a standard had been established, a model for implementing future viola congresses. The congress in Ypsilanti, in addition to several other “firsts,” featured an historically unique world premiere: a violist would be awarded an honorary doctorate! William Primrose was recipient of this

distinction, and with him the entire guild of violists felt likewise honored. 9

IVC V, Rochester, New York, 1977 Louise Goldberg, Host; Myron Rosenblum, Programming Associate

Compared to Ypsilanti, the first Rochester Congress was a rather subdued affair, given its much lower attendance. Still, William Primrose was present and scheduled for a lecture and a Q&A. By no means did the attractions end with Primrose because many established violists were present and on the programs: Walter Trampler, whose schedule was clear this time, and Paul Doktor were the featured soloists, each making his first appearance before a viola congress. Trampler presented the first reading of the Shostakovich’s Sonata for Viola and Piano, op. 147 , at a viola congress. William Primrose announced in his lecture that he and Mr. Trampler had discussed the Shostakovich over dinner the previous evening and that, in the future, the Primrose interpretation of the sonata would be identical to that of Trampler. In addition to other selections, Paul Doktor played an arrangement of Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata he himself had made from the original score. In addition to Primrose, Marna Street, Heidi Castleman, Michael Tree, and Jacob Glick presented lectures, lecture demonstrations, and lecture recitals. Francis Tursi teamed with Martha Katz and the Cleveland Quartet to play the Mozart String Quintet in D Major, K 593. The US Air Force Chamber Orchestra 10 once again provided orchestral support to the concerti performed

at the congress, including Johann Andreas Amon’s Concerto in G Major for Viola and Orchestra, op. 10, and Alessandro Rolla’s Rondo in F Major for Viola and Orchestra, op. 10, with Walter Trampler as soloist. Robert Coleman performed Sir William Herschel’s Concerto in F Major for Viola, Strings, and Cembalo, and Harold Coletta played Roman Hoffstetter’s Concerto in E-flat Major for Viola and Orchestra (now attributed to Joseph Martin Kraus). Myron Rosenblum and Robert Slaughter performed Christoph Graupner’s Concerto in D Major for Viola d’Amore and Viola. Premiers included Variations on “Veni Creator Spiritus” by James Fry, performed by the Eastman Viola Ensemble, conducted by

William Primrose, Marna Street, Paul Doktor, and Francis Tursi (left to right) at the IVC V in Rochester, NY. Photo by Dwight Pound.

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

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