Viola da Gamba Society

The Newsletter of the Viola da Gamba Society New England is published quarterly, and contains information about upcoming workshops, concerts, events, and other information useful to the Viola da Gamba player and Early Music enthusiast. Included are often listings of instruments, music, bows etc for sale, as well as opportunities for players to get together and enjoy making the music they love.

Click on the PDF edition of the Newsletter you wish to see, or page down for the text version.

Please submit reviews, previews, listings, articles, stories, poetry, columns to the Newsletter Editor at NewsletterEditor@vdgsne.org

Suddenly it’s December again, and winter activity planning is upon us! I hope you have all had an enjoyable autumn and are now laying in a supply of snow shovels and ice-melt to get through the coming season.

Thanks to all who helped with our fall workshop – it seemed to me that it was a resounding success! Attendance was very good, and from the opening lecture to the final consort chords, all participants seemed to be having a very good time. (I know I did.) Many thanks again to Brandeis for hosting this event.

Our winter workshop will take place on Saturday, January 28, 2012, also at Brandeis, and will be led by our VdGSA President, Wendy Gillespie. “New Old Music” is the theme, and I’m sure that Wendy, as always, will be inspirational as well as entertaining. Don’t forget to sign up! N.B.: Wendy will also be performing with El Dorado Ensemble on Friday Jan. 27 and Sunday Jan. 29 – see elsewhere in this newsletter for details.

Our third workshop will take place on Saturday, April 21, 2012 and will be led by Parthenia. Their theme is “Love Songs in the Age of Ronsard”, and they will be performing a concert that same evening.

On a sad note, we’ve lost several musicians and friends of musicians just recently, and I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge a few of them: Peter Huetmannsberger, whose fine instruments several of us play, and who has been a friendly face at the Boston Early Music Festival for many years, was killed in a mountain climbing accident on November 13. Montserrat Figueras, whose wonderful singing we have enjoyed in Hespèrion and La Capela Reial de Catalunya, died on November 23 after a long illness. And David Fenton, member of the consort Teares of the Muses, died suddenly on November 1. We will miss them all, as musicians and as friends.

A reminder: if you haven’t already renewed your VdGS-NE membership, I encourage you to do so now, and if you can include an additional contribution in any amount, it is very much appreciated! Your support is what keeps us going, and I know that all of the Board members join me in asking for any new ideas or suggestions that can help us to further our goal of sponsoring viola da gamba activities in New England. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions – we’d love to hear from you.

With very best wishes for the holidays,

Carol Lewis - President@vdgsne.org

IS THE SUPPLY OF GUT FOR STRINGS IN JEOPARDY?

We forwarded this message from the English Gamba Society to our members and received some interesting responses.

Dear VdGS Member, We would not normally contact you with such information, but thought this issue was serious enough to warrant a mass mailing.In their fight against BSE the EEC have managed to stop gut string makers in Europe from being able to obtain raw materials for making strings. This seems ridiculous, as gut strings are not normally consumed as food. Mimmo Peruffo of Aquila had to stop his production and we are trying to find out whether the same now also applies to other gut string makers in Europe. The import of gut strings from outside Europe is not banned, as raw gut is classed as Class 1 material, whereas once it has been processed in a technical workshop the ban is lifted, so we should be able to buy strings from Gamut (Dan Larson) and Dlugolecki.

Note: Since this message came to us Aquile has announced that it has received permission to import raw material for strings from Europe and outside but that it will take some 3-4 months to return to full production.

Replying to us: From JaneAnne Koch:

I also just heard from Bill Monical that since the Japanese have discovered sausage the quantity of Australian sheep gut used by many string makers is also drying up.

From Carol Lewis in response to a question from Mai-Lan Broekman:

So far no crisis reported by string suppliers other than Aquila in Italy. (We have never imported Aquila gut anyway, so this doesn't affect us.) Chris suggests that this may be because of regulations in Italy. We have been checking, but so far no word from Kuerschner or Savarez or Pyramid (or Pirastro).

IN MEMORIAM

Peter Hütmannsberger, 28.03.1962 - 13.11.2011

I am sorry to announce that on the 13th of November, 2011, Peter Hütmannsberger had a fatal accident while mountain climbing.
Please direct any questions you may have to Aileen Derieg, a.derieg@eliot.at

David Fenton – Ein Lammlein

I did not know David Fenton personally. However, I had been writing a review (for the VdGSA newsletter) of the New York University viol consort Teares of the Muses newly released CD, Ein Lammlein, when I was saddened to learn of his death. He played tenor viol in the ensemble and also, I learn from Margaret Panofsky (director) was instrumental in putting together playing 3 editions of the central works on the CD, by Samuel Capricornus: “O Trauerigkeit, O Herzeleid!” and “Ein Lammlein” (for two sopranos, viol consort and continuo), which are available only in facsimile. The works of Capricornus have been underexplored; this is a shame, because he favored the viol in his fine and interesting compositions. The lovely CD Ein Lammlein is augmented with viol consort works by Schein, Funck, Scheidt, and Tunder’s magnificent “An Wasserflussen Babylon,” also with soprano. Ein Lammlein is available on their website, tearesofthemuses.com, on CD baby, cdbaby.com, and on Amazon.com.

Hannah Davidson

SYLVIA'S VIOLS ENRICH BOSTON'S MUSICAL LIFE

The family of Sylvia Morey recently made a generous gift to the VdGS-NE, Sylvia's bass viola da gamba. Sylvia was known as an avid consort player and music-lover, playing all sizes of viols and recorders throughout her musical life. She was a very active person, traveling to Powers Music School in Belmont and to the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven to pursue her love of the viol. She took time out from her music to travel extensively in the Far East and Europe. She was an avid swimmer, and also volunteered in her Vermont community for Meals on Wheels. A devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, Sylvia died on September 10, 2010 at the age of 92.

The bass viol given to the VdGS-NE was made by S. Taylor in Grafton, Vermont in 1973. It is an attractive instrument with a lovely sound, and has already been placed in the hands of an eager beginner in the Boston area. The sale of the instrument will benefit the many activities that our chapter supports: three yearly workshops, scholarships, master classes, and the Gian Lyman Silbiger Grant. The Silbiger Grant has recently been expanded to include performing ensembles as well as church services; the gift by the Morey family will allow our chapter to help bring the viol and its music to more audiences around New England.

Sylvia's generosity has been felt throughout the viol community. Her lovely tenor viol, made by her husband Jerome, with its charming festooned shape and carved woman's head, is now part of the Powers Viol Collection. Her treble viol went to the Longy School of Music for its Early Music Program.

Jane Hershey

Powers Viol Collection has instruments available in all sizes. For information on rental, contact Evan at 616-484-4696.

VdGS-NE announced new guidelines for the Silbiger Grant in 2012-2013. The grant is now available not only to church and synagogue musicians, but also to small choruses and music directors who are eager to explore the repertoire for viol consort with voices in a concert setting. While viol consorts with a minimum of three or more players may apply, preference will be given to applications including voices.

The grant pays $600, intended for the viol players and not for any other expenses incurred by the applicant. An applicant may elect to supplement the award with funds from other sources in order to include more players or a vocal soloist. Also, an applicant may choose one of the viol players to act as a collaborator/organizer, and pay that player a larger proportion of the award amount.

The Selection Committee emphasizes the following guidelines:

Musical excellence and repertoire of high quality which reflects the aims of the grant and is appropriate to the level of the viol consort and singers.

New England focus. The viol players must be from New England. The performance site must also be in New England.

Outreach. If possible, musicians should include a mixture of professional and amateur players and new audiences for viol music should be actively sought.

The grant is supported entirely by VdGS-NE members and friends. Tax deductible contributions are gratefully accepted. Please send to the Treasurer, Viola da Gamba Society New England, PO Box 192, Belmont, MA 02478.

Applications for the 2012-2013 season are due by March 15, 2012.

(Full text of this article with application form is available online at vdgsne.org)

CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENTS

El Dorado Ensemble (Carol Lewis, Janet Haas, Paul Johnson, Mai-Lan Broekman & Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Olav Chris Henriksen, lute) with mezzosoprano Pamela Dellal and special guest Wendy Gillespie, viol. “The Tudor Consort: Music from the Courts of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.” Music by Ferrabosco I, van Wilder, Byrd, Parsons & others.

Friday, January 27, 2012 at 8:00 pm Lindsay Chapel, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, 11 Garden St. Cambridge, MA (entrance on Mason St.). For information, call (617)776-0692.

Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 3:00 pm Somerville Museum, Central St. at Westwood Road , Somerville, MA (entrance on Westwood Road). For information, call (617)666-9810.

Arcadia Players. “Abendmusik.” Vespers music for voices & instruments by Buxtehude, Schütz and others.

Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 7:30 pm Abbey Chapel, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA.

Music for Viols and Friends (Hendrik Broekman, harpsichord; Olav Chris Henriksen, lute, cittern & Baroque guitar; and Carol Lewis, viola da gamba). “The Sounds of Vermeer: Early Baroque Music from the Netherlands.” Music by Schop, Sweelinck, Schildt, Schenck, van de Hove and others.

Friday, March 2, 2012 at 8:00 pm Lindsay Chapel, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, 11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA (entrance on Mason St.). For information, call (617)776-0692.

Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 3:00 pm Somerville Museum, Central St. at Westwood Road, Somerville, MA (entrance on Westwood Road). For information, call (617)666-9810.

El Dorado Ensemble (Carol Lewis, Janet Haas, Paul Johnson, Mai-Lan Broekman & Alice Mroszczyk, viols; Olav Chris Henriksen, archlute & theorbo) “Capricious Italians: a 17th-century Musical Journey.” Music by Ferro, Neri, Farina, Waesich, Cato, Kapsberger and others.

Friday, April 13, 2012 at 8:00 pm Lindsay Chapel, First Church in Cambridge, Congregational, 11 Garden St., Cambridge, MA (entrance on Mason St.). For information, call (617)776-0692.

Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 3:00 pm Somerville Museum, Central St. at Westwood Road, Somerville, MA (entrance on Westwood Road). For information, call (617)666-9810.

Parthenia, with Jason McStoots, tenor, and Duo Maresienne. “Love Songs in the Age of Ronsard.” Graceful songs and sprightly dances, featuring settings of the poetry of Ronsard and his circle.

Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 7:30 pm Hancock United Church of Christ, Lexington, MA.

VDGS-NE Officers:
Carol Lewis	:	President
Rosalind Brooks Stowe	:	Vice-President
Alastair Thompson	:	Recording Secretary
Martha Davidson	:	Corresponding Secretary
Sybil Kevy	:	Treasurer
Lari Smith and Hannah Davidson	:	Newsletter Editor
Sarah Mead	:	Brandeis Liason
Ed Fleming		Webmaster