JAVS Summer 1998

61

Viola-Fest

various viola solo and ensemble pieces in rwo other concerts. If listeners had anticipated a vicious " I-can-top-rhat" competition among the so loists , they would have been disappointed. From all appearances, cooperative efforts among the soloists were a model in collegial ity. We could all be reminded that this is how musical performance ideally should be ap proached. One presents his or her own ralenr and gift of music, not as a way of comparing or, worse, denigrating another's, bur simply as a presentation of a musical gift. Upon hearing four mature and highly endowed musicians, one may have favored rhe musical subrlery, rone, technique , performing personality, or orher individual elements of one artist over rhe orher, bur ir would have been furile ro have picked a "winner. " And thar, refreshingly, was nor the object of the Viola-Fest. Ir was es sentially a celebration of the instrument and irs repertoire-both familiar and unfamiliar celebrated by four superb players, who in rurn were deservedly celebrated by full houses of admirers. From several introductory and congraru latory lerrers found in the handsome fescival brochure, I gleaned rhe following words that mighr resonate in every viol ist from rhe eminent conductor Carlo Maria Giulini: "Many, many years have gone by since rhe rime I experienced one of rhe grearesr joys of my musical career, which is when I was offered the position of twelfth viola in rhe Augusreo Orchestra in Rome . During rhar period I had the opportunity of play ing-with the exception ofToscanini-under rhe greatest conductors and composers of the rime. I would like ro suggesr to all [violists] to continue to love and respecr their instru ment with the wish that they will be able ro be proud of the joy they convey ro the listen ers through music. "

Viola-Fest 26.-27. Juni in Kronberg im Taunus

Yuri Bashmer mirdem Moskauer Solisrenensemble Nobuku Imai Kim Kashkashian Tabea Zimmermann

Traditionally rhe individual and corporate sponsors of this annual musical event, held in this "bedroom" rown of Frankfurt, Germany, have focused their energies and fund ing on the cello and cellists, fearuring internationally known arcisrs in recitals, forums, and a com petition. I was unable ro ascertain why an exception was made in behalf of rhe vio la this year. Inspiration? Certainly much of the credir in bringing about this evenr goes ro Ura Lenkewirz-von-Zahn, Walter Wirre, and Raimund Trenkler. One of the most extraordinary fearures of the Viola-Fest was having four of the world's leading concertizing and recording violists gathered on one spot of earth ar rhe same time. They were the Japanese Nobuko lmai (now living in Holland), the Russian Yuri Bashmet , rhe American Kim Kashkashian (currently residing in Berlin), and the German Tabea Zimmermann (she, rwo months before the delivery of her first child). Each occupied a solo recital and all joined together to play

David Dalton Provo, Utah