JAVS Winter 1991

7

Vieux's Other Etudes by LeeAnn J. ~ Jorgan

Editor's Note: This article is the second in a two...part series on Maurice Vieux's etudes. The first article appeared inlAVS, Vol. 7 No.2 1991, and dealt with the Twenty Etudes. Maurice Vieux made an important contribution to etudes for his instrument with his Twenty Etudes. His other pedagogical works are also significant. These include his Ten Orchestra Etudes, Ten Interval Etudes, Ten New Etudes and Six Concert Etudes. This article will survey Vieux's remaining etudes, highlighting unique features in each set. In a brief article written in 1928 (see JAYS, Vol. 7 No.2, 1991) Vieux emphasized the need for violists of the 20th century to develop a technique of the same dimensions as that required for contemporary violinists. His set of etudes can be a catalyst to accomplish this aspiration. A study of each set of etudes serves as a detailed preparation for the advanced student or the professional. They are comprehensive in their depth of technical study as well as in their breadth of genres addressed Le., concert pieces, technical studies, concert pieces, intervallic studies. Vieux took all aspects into account and was brilliant in his preparation of these etudes. The viola world owes a debt of gratitude to this insightful man. In his lifetime Maurice Vieux made such an outstanding contribution to viola pedagogy that he has been named "the father of the modem French Viola School." He studied with Laforge at the Paris Conservatoire and in 1918, after the death of Laforge, Vieux was appointed head of the viola department at the Conservatoire. Many accomplished French violists were his students, including Fran\-ois Broos, Marie...Therese Chailley, Etienne Ginot, Colette Lequien, Alice Merkel, Leon Pascal, Pierre Pasquier and Serge Collot. He was a frequent soloist in the Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire. As a soloist he introduced viola compositions of French composers, and all of the viola solo literature composed and dedicated to him by the Belgian composer, joseph jongen. 1

The Primrose International Viola Archive at Brigham Young University contains all of the etudes of Maurice Vieux. The BYU Library call numbers appear in boldface following each etude description.

Six Concert Etudes (Six Etudes de Concert pour Alto et Piano)

Each etude in this set of six is dedicated to a violist. As the title suggests, these are concert etudes with piano accompaniment. They are mUSically engaging and could be used as short concert pieces. Technically difficul t, each focuses on at least one or two technical aspects, such as fouette bowing, string crossings, high sections in treble clef, four note chords, spiccato and triple stops.

Level: Advanced

Contents:

Key

Dedication

1

Etude en ut(C) majeur

Madeleine Martinet

Premier prix du Conservatoire (1930)

2

Etude en si(b) mineur

Valter Poole (mon eleve)

de la Symphonic Orchestra de Detroit