Three Dissertation Viola Recitals: British Miniatures, The Wartime Viola, and Transcriptions of Vadim Borisovsky

Three viola recitals were given in lieu of a written dissertation. The music in these recitals was chosen to demonstrate the growth of solo viola repertoire in the twentieth century, especially in Europe. The first recital, British Miniatures for Viola, included music from the modern English musical renaissance, when British composers sought to be free from foreign influences and create a truly British sound. Most of the pieces were commissioned by, or dedicated to, Lionel Tertis. A strong proponent for the viola, Tertis transcribed many pieces for the viola and urged composers to write for the instrument. The second recital, The Wartime Viola, focused on viola sonatas written near the end of the Second World War (1943-1946) by composers from western countries. This recital included the only American music, a short Elegy by Elliott Carter. The other three were sonatas by composers from England, France, and Italy. The final recital, Transcriptions of Vadim Borisovsky, featured all Russian music transcribed for viola(s) and piano. Borisovsky’s work for the viola in Russia has rightly been compared to Lionel Tertis’s work in England. He is considered the father of the Russian Viola School and credited with bringing the viola to a position of respect rather than indifference in Russia. Tuesday, December 13, 7:30 p.m., Britton Recital Hall, The University of Michigan. Joshua Marzan, piano, Catherine Willey, cello, Celia van den Bogert, harp. Percy Grainger Arrival Platform Humlet; Percy Grainger “The Sussex Mummer’s Christmas Carol”; Rebecca Clarke Passacaglia on an Old English Tune; Rebecca Clarke Two Pieces for Viola and Cello, “Lullaby,” “Grotesque”; Ralph Vaughan Williams/Watson Forbes Fantasia on “Greensleeves”; Ralph Vaughan Williams Suite for Viola and Orchestra, Group 1, I. Prelude, II. Carol, III. Christmas Dance, Group 2, I. Ballad, II. Moto Perpetuo, Group 3, I. Musette, II. Polka Melancolique, III. Galop. Friday, February 10, 7:30 p.m., Stamps Recital Hall, The University of Michigan. Joshua Marzan, piano. Elliott Carter Elegy for Viola and Piano; Lennox Berkeley Viola Sonata in D minor, I. Allegro ma non troppo, II. Adagio, III. Allegro; Darius Milhaud Sonata No. 2 for Viola and Piano, I. Champetre, II. Dramatique, III. Rude; Giovanni “Nino” Rota Viola Sonata in C, I. Allegretto Scorrevole, II. Andante Sostenuto, III. Allegro Scorrevole. Saturday, April 15, 7:30 p.m., Watkins Lecture Hall, The University of Michigan. Joshua Marzan, piano, Rebekah Willey, viola. Pyotr Tchaikovsky/Vadim Borisovsky Nocturne in D minor; Modest Mussorgsky/Vadim Borisovsky “Hopak”; Sergei Prokofiev/Vadim Borisovsky Excerpts from the Ballet Romeo and Juliet, “Introduction,” “The Street Awakens,” “The Young Juliet,” “Minuet: Arrival of the Guests,” “Dance of the Knights,” “Mercutio,” “Balcony Scene,” “Carnival,” “Dance with Mandolins,” “Romeo and Juliet at Friar Lawrence’s,” “Death of Mercutio,” “Morning Serenade,” “Farewell Before Parting and Death of Juliet.”AMUMusic: PerformanceUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140802/1/kewilley_1.pd