Curtin & Alf wentfar beyond anything I expected. My viola is ...

The week between Saturday, August 27,
and Saturday, September 3, 1994, in Port Erin
was filled with a ,glorious celebration of the
viola-playing of the most elevated and expert
kind (both viola and piano), plus fascinating
information-sharing and viola lore in general.
The functions at the Tertis Competition were
beautifully organized, carefully prepared, and
skillfully carried out. The countryside was
handsome, the weather glorious (except for a
FORUM
In Appreciation
I regret to inform friends ofthe AVS that my dear wife, Jean, passed away on July 27th
from the ravages ofdiabetes over the past 38 years.
It was she who introduced me to the world ofthe viola, inspired in me the desire to write
nearly a dozen works for the instrument, and proved to be the catalyst which brought Paul
Doktor and myself together for the creation ofmy concerto. She was unendingly loyal to the
viola and its music and to the American Viola Society.
I would also like to express my gratitude for the efforts made toward presenting Roberto
Diaz's excellent performance ofmy concerto at the Redlands Viola Congress. It was an event,
especially when performed on the same program with a concerto by myoid teacher, Wayne
Bohrnstedt, which proved a highlight ofmy career and one ofmy most memorable occasionsmarred
only by the death during the same days ofPaul Doktor.
Although I will very likely attend no more congresses, nor will I be kept abreast ofthe
activities ofthe AVS, I shall never forsake the viola as a medium ofexpression, thanks entirely to
Jean's enthusiasm in guiding me through the experience oflearning to write for the instrument.
Ironically, and happily, her last act as a musician was the edition ofa set ofmy viola duets,
Airs and Fancies, for publication by Latham Enterprises. A month after her death I received my
copies ofthe publication, bearing her name as editor.
Thanks to all who contribute so much to the world ofthe viola.
Robert W Jones
San Diego
Letter from the Isle ofMan
Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and Workshop
and the XXII International Viola Congress
5 September 1994
Port Erin, Isle ofMan, British Isles
few days); and for an American, the ambiance
was exotic enough to provide fascinating and
enticing aspects.
Still, I kept thinking of Sir Winston
Churchill's Their Finest Hour, 1 book two of
The Second World mtr, which describes the
triumph of the British in the face of the enormous
difficulties of 1940 (the Battle of
Britain, The Blitz, Dunkirk, etc.). Perhaps it
is an exaggeration to compare the musical
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