JAVS Winter 1991

33

Amory Recital Editor's note: In the absence of a review in the New York Times of this important recital, Paul Coletti wished to submit his views on this performance for the interest of our readers. Misha Amory, together with Tom Sauer, opened his debut recital, 11 November 1991 in Alice Tully Hall (one of two recitals afforded him as 1st prize winner of the 1991 Naumburg Competition) with the Gamba Sonata No.1 in G Major by J. S. Bach. From the first notes it was clear that the near capacity audience was in for a special treat; meticulous preparation, adherence to style and intelligent phrasing from both musicians would mark a pattern of excellence for the entire evening.The HaU Overton Sonata which followed provided ample opportunities for variety, and the two comitted performers delivered the considerable complexities with ease.After intermission, Amory and the excellent Sauer gave an utterly beautiful account of Schumann's Fantasiestueke. The melancholy and compassion of this open.. hearted composer was illuminated with honesty, subtle colors and impeccable inton.. ation, making a persuasive argument for the appropriation of this work into the standard viola repertoire.The two twentieth century works which concluded the recital, Britten's Lachrymae and Hindemith's Sonata, opus 11 , no. 4, offered further proof of an elegant musician who has already achieved much and promises much more. The Britten in particular was masterfully structured, as was the pacing of the variations in this gentle atmospheric piece.For all associated with the viola, this magnificent recital was a triumph. For Misha Amory one hopes it is simply a beginning toward greater attainment In Memoriam, Max Rostal Uta Lenkewitz, president of the German Chapter of the IVS, reported of the memorial service held for Max Rostal. Rostal had been a student of Carl Flesch, and after World War II built his reputation as one of the foremost teachers of violin and viola in England. "On Friday, 16 August 1991, I attended the memorial service for Max Rostal who died 6 August. It was held in Bern in the Konserv.. -Paul Coletti, Peabody Conservatory

atorium. The first speaker was Sir Yehudi Menuhin. That was quite moving. He has a wonderful deep, clear voice, and a very philosophical way of looking at life. The service began with the slow movement from Schubert's String Quintet in C, and the final music was played by the prize winner of the Max Rostal ViolinNiola Competition concluded the day before. She performed Lachrymae, and played so well that at the end, no one dared move for at least two minutes. It was said that Rostal himself planned the program of his memorial service. He hardly could have chosen better." 80th Birthday Tribute This tribute to Harry Danks, eminent British violist, will take the form of a viola festival on 21 .. 23 February 1992. It will be given by students of John White, professor of viola at the Royal Academy of Music, London, at St. John's Arts and Recreation Centre in Old Harlow, Essex. Special guests will also include Mrs. Lillian Tertis, Tully Potter and Michael Freyhan. Best wishes are extended to this notable British violist from his American colleagues with a traditional "Happy Birthday." Minnesota Orchestra, has been named principal of the New York Philharmonic. She is a past winner of the Tertis International Viola Competition. From and to China Shen Xi ..Di, professor of viola at the Shang.. hai Conservatory, spent several weeks during the past summer in the U.S. teaching and performing. She coached at the Quartet Program in Massachusetts at the invitation of Charles Castleman, and petformed at the Deer Valley Chamber Music Festival in Utah which is directed by violist, Leslie Blackburn. For three weeks in September she instructed the viola class at Brigham Young University and per.. formed. David Dalton, BYU professor of viola, taught during November all of the violists at the Shanghai and Central (Beijing) Conservatories in a master class setting. He also lectured on the "Art of Primrose" and presented copies of videos and books plus other Primrose memorabilia to the two conservatories. Together with Donna Dalton, they performed repertoire in concert for New Principal Cynthia Phelps, principal violist of the