Williams' Duo Concertante for Viola and Violin

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

from johnwilliams.org

On Friday, August 17, Williams' Duo Concertante for violin and viola will be given its world premiere at at Tanglewood prelude concert by Boston Symphony musicians Victor Romanul and Michael Zaretsky. The work will also be performed on October 22 at Boston University and eventually recorded.

[hornist 1,262]

Wow , this is great news.

[Marcus 395]

Fantastic news!

I can´t wait to hear this! I guess this is what started as the alleged viola concerto.

How wonderfully Mozartian of him!

I am very glad he gives priority to concert music, and hope that the plans to record this will be realized sooner rather than later, preferably coupled with a proper recording of the horn concerto. And while at it, why not the clarinet concerto and Soundings as well?

[A24 5,158]

This is a violin and viola piece without an orchestra, right?

[Marcus 395]

This is a violin and viola piece without an orchestra, right?

I thought it was a Duo Concerto, with orchestra. The "Concertante"-label in a chamber musical setting seems very archaic to me, almost Weberian (as in the "Grand Duo Concertante" by Carl Maria von Weber.)

If I´m wrong, and this is a chamber piece, my excitement is certainly undiminished!

[pixie_twinkle 60]

Aaah! Violists of the world finally get a new piece!

[Marcus 395]

Re-reading Miguel´s initial post, I guess this is a chamber work, after all, which is wonderful! I wonder how substantial it will be? It would be really great if it were a larger piece, like, say, the Rozsa Duo for two violins (anyone heard it? It´s fantastic!). I wonder: Will we also get the rumored Viola Concerto?

[scissorhands 16]

Boston Symphony Orchestra members Victor Romanul, violin, and Michael Zaretsky, viola, perform a prelude concert at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 17, in Ozawa Hall. The program includes Mozart’s Duo in G for violin and viola and Copland’s Elegies for violin and viola, as well as the world premiere of John Williams’ Duo Concertante for violin and viola, written for Romanul and Zaretsky and to be published after its first performance. Mr. Williams’ piece was inspired by Martinu*’s Three Madrigals for violin and viola. The prelude concert is free, but is open only to ticketholders for that evening’s Shed concert.

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LENOX — It's not every day that FedEx comes to your door and, out of the blue, drops off a piece of music written for you by John Williams.

That was the surprise that greeted Michael Zaretsky, a violist in the Boston Symphony Orchestra, last October. He received Williams' Duo Concertante for violin and viola, written for him by the Boston Pops conductor laureate and multiple Oscar- and Grammy-winning film composer.

"I was totally astonished," Zaretsky remembers. He picked up the phone and called Williams, who was then secluded in the Berkshires, working on scores.

Williams said a letter of explanation would follow. What Zaretsky describes as "a really beautiful letter" asked if he would be willing to play the 13-minute piece. Indeed Zaretsky would. He and fellow BSO member Victor Romanul will give the world premiere at Tanglewood tomorrow night as part of a prelude concert of violin-viola duos.

Williams has also written a considerable body of classical music, including works for cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Busy again this week in the Berkshires, he was not available to tell how the duo came about. So let Zaretsky tell the story:

Ten years ago, Zaretsky was scheduled to play a Tanglewood prelude, including Brahms' Piano Quintet, with pianist Yefim Bronfman and other BSO members. The night before, Zaretsky, his wife and Bronfman were dining at a Lenox restaurant and Williams happened to walk in with friends for dinner. On asking what Bronfman was performing, Williams heard about the prelude program.

He decided to attend. Among the pieces he heard was Bohuslav Martinu's Three Madrigals for violin and viola, which Zaretsky played with Romanul. Williams took a liking to the piece, which he had never heard before. Seeing an opportunity, Zaretsky asked if Williams would write a piece for him and Romanul.

"His reaction was 'no, no, no, I'm so busy,' " Zaretsky recalls. But from time to time, the two men would meet in Symphony Hall during Williams' visits to conduct the Pops, and Williams would mention that he was still thinking about that piece.

"Oh, he's just being polite," Zaretsky thought.

Then came the Fed Ex man. Zaretsky and Romanul went to work, and in December they traveled to the Berkshires to try out the gift for Williams at his hideaway. They came expecting to spend 45 minutes with him. The 45 minutes stretched out to three hours as Williams made adjustments to the score.

Not just "an incredible human being," Williams is also "a musician of the highest caliber," Zaretsky says. "I told him, 'This is a real gift, not to me, of course. It's a gift to all viola and violin players.' "

Because Williams loved the Martinu piece, he modeled his piece on it, Romanul believes. "What was nice was, he mentioned that he had written the parts based upon how he saw us as players, what he appreciated about Mischa's playing and about my playing."

Zaretsky says Williams wanted the premiere at Tanglewood. Also at Williams' suggestion, it will be joined on the program by the Martinu madrigals, along with Copland's brief, unpublished "Elegies" and Mozart's well-known Duo, K. 423.

The Martinu and Copland pieces also have a Tanglewood connection, Zaretsky points out. The Czech Martinu was a composer-in-residence in 1946, and Copland was a Tanglewood fixture as a composer and teacher for a quarter-century beginning in 1940.

As for the Mozart duo, Zaretsky recalls Williams' saying, "It's always nice to be in the company of Mozart."

There are plenty of violin-viola duos by such minor composers as Pleyel, Stamitz and Spohr, Zaretsky says, but apart from the Mozart and Martinu pieces, the repertoire for the duo is thin. He expects the Williams contribution to be right up there with Mozart and Martinu.

Only one other performance is scheduled as of now. On Oct. 22, Zaretsky will play the duo at Boston University with fellow faculty member Peter Zazofsky. Zaretsky and Romanul plan to record the work for a compact disc of duos.

The second of Williams' three movements suggests his music for "Schindler's List," Zaretsky says, but actually the piece is nothing like his movie music.

"It's a totally different John," says Zaretsky. "What is remarkable is how well he knows instruments. I was really surprised."

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13 minutes split into 3 movements. Chamber music, which is... wow, incredible. And probably it's that viola concerto that Williams referred to months ago (he kept it as a surprise for a special person). Keep in your mind that there was a 2nd bassoon concerto rumored on this board also.

Any chance to be broadcast?

[Marcus 395]

Ah, how utterly delightful! I´m in Paris now, but I will try to make Boston on the 22nd, if at all possible. This is beautiful news!

[King Mark 3,977]

eventually recorded...right.

Reminder:Prepare your bootleg recording devices to anyone going

[Neimoidian 15]

I am so looking forward to hearing it. <thrilled>

+ =

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

Mark, from reading, it seems clear that there is will to record it. Be more positive, man!

And thanks to Peio, for adding this information.

[King Mark 3,977]

yes,just like Soundings and the Horn Concerto will eventually be recorded and have an official release.

k.M.Never assuming anything regarding unreleased Williams music

[Red 75]

I'm glad the Viola is getting some Williams love.

[scissorhands 16]

Well, Zeretsky and Romanul got the duo concertante in december. In the interview from early february, Williams said that he is working on a viola concerto “it's intended for someone who doesn't know it's coming".

Perhaps the interview was done a couple months earlier, so this should be the same work and the interviewer got it wrong. But if the interview was actually made in january or february, the viola concerto is a very different work besides the duo concertante.

[Maurizio 6,914]

Well, Zeretsky and Romanul got the duo concertante in december. In the interview from early february, Williams said that he is working on a viola concerto “it's intended for someone who doesn't know it's coming".

Perhaps the interview was done a couple months earlier, so this should be the same work and the interviewer got it wrong. But if the interview was actually made in january or february, the viola concerto is a very different work besides the duo concertante.

The roster on the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency website says the JW is currently composing a Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

[scissorhands 16]

Well, Zeretsky and Romanul got the duo concertante in december. In the interview from early february, Williams said that he is working on a viola concerto “it's intended for someone who doesn't know it's coming".

Perhaps the interview was done a couple months earlier, so this should be the same work and the interviewer got it wrong. But if the interview was actually made in january or february, the viola concerto is a very different work besides the duo concertante.

The roster on the Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency website says the JW is currently composing a Concerto for Viola and Orchestra.

Well, I'm sure that if he's written a viola concerto, he must have finished it long ago. Good news anyway!!

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

yes,just like Soundings and the Horn Concerto will eventually be recorded and have an official release.

k.M.Never assuming anything regarding unreleased Williams music

Mark, they do seem to have plans for an album of violin and viola music, including Williams own piece. That was what I read. Of course, thing may never come to full fruition, but I do like to think it will...

[scissorhands 16]

So nobody has reported about this world premiere. What kind of fans are we?

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

So nobody has reported about this world premiere. What kind of fans are we?

The kind of fans who really aren't, who only care about f***** Harry Potter, or Star Wars, or Indiana Jones... and that feel that all other Williams music is a waist of time

[Incanus 5,891]

So nobody has reported about this world premiere. What kind of fans are we?

The kind of fans who really aren't, who only care about f***** Harry Potter, or Star Wars, or Indiana Jones... and that feel that all other Williams music is a waist of time

There are also devoted fans who would like to go to these premieres but do not have a chance or means to do it because they live in Europe. I would attend every Williams concert in a flash if I had the chance. Especially of his concert works.

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

So nobody has reported about this world premiere. What kind of fans are we?

The kind of fans who really aren't, who only care about f***** Harry Potter, or Star Wars, or Indiana Jones... and that feel that all other Williams music is a waist of time

There are also devoted fans who would like to go to these premieres but do not have a chance or means to do it because they live in Europe. I would attend every Williams concert in a flash if I had the chance. Especially of his concert works.

But you surely know that we are a minority...

[Incanus 5,891]

I am very aware of that Miguel.

[hornist 1,262]

If there is a topic about new JW concerto , it will have 15-25 posts.

If there is one about boobies the number is same.... but pages.

[Miguel Andrade 1,728]

If there is a topic about new JW concerto , it will have 15-25 posts.

If there is one about boobies the number is same.... but pages.

And that goes on to show the maturity of this board members.

[scissorhands 16]

Sad bad true.

NP: John Adams live from the Royal Albert Hall

[Jeshopk 8]

He's no chiclet, but JW shows promise. I would lve to hear what he would write for the violin. All he is is bombast!

[hornist 1,262]

I'm excited of the Viola part cause I'm dating with one beautiful player of that instrument.

[Maglorfin 219]

I am so looking forward to hearing it. <thrilled>

+ =

Quite the same here.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

Viola?

Worthless.

Violin?

Excellent.

[Red 75]

Shut up, blue balls!

[Hitch 60]

Always a follower of Williams' non-film score output, I'm delighted at this marvellous news of the Viola/Violin duo piece even if it is only 13 minutes. We'll take those minutes gladly, Maestro.

[Jeshopk 8]

Viola is a rich instrument. Velvety rich! The lowest note is very good for horror. I wonder if he will use it.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

*Gags*

Violin for the win!

[Jeshopk 8]

*Gags*

Violin for the win!

Is it going to be violin vs viola battle? That would be good, with video montage during the live performance.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

That would be excellent.

Maybe "Duo" was a miscommunique, maybe it's really "Duel"

[Marcus 395]

I just finished reading through the Martinu madrigals, and I must say: What a marvelous work! And actually quite "williamsesque"; it is easy to understand why John Williams relates so much to it, it has a lot of technicalia (especially certain harmonic and formal ideas) quite akin to the sort of things Williams will typically do.

Again, I am so excited about this!

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,400]

But you surely know that we are a minority...

I would have gone it it was in any reasonable distance from here, and i'm a film music buff!

[King Mark 3,977]

It doesn't make you less of a Williams fan if you prefer his film scores to his concertos for whatever instrument.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 12,400]

True.

[Elmo Lewis 7]

It doesn't make you less of a Williams fan if you prefer his film scores to his concertos for whatever instrument.

Hmmm... Well, we can't answer the question "how much heart does Williams pour into his scores, and how much does he pour into the concert music?", so arguing your statement from whatever point of view is futile, of course. But if you are, like I am, a fan of Williams' film music and not his concerti music, you cannot deny that we are missing out on something, on a very big part of the Maestro's style and, yes, personality.

It doesn't matter if we put more passion, or time, or get obsessed more than other, more "global" fans. In the end we are the ones that are missing out.

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

What Elmo said.

Listen to it all if you can.

[King Mark 3,977]

It doesn't make you less of a Williams fan if you prefer his film scores to his concertos for whatever instrument.

Hmmm... Well, we can't answer the question "how much heart does Williams pour into his scores, and how much does he pour into the concert music?", so arguing your statement from whatever point of view is futile, of course. But if you are, like I am, a fan of Williams' film music and not his concerti music, you cannot deny that we are missing out on something, on a very big part of the Maestro's style and, yes, personality.

It doesn't matter if we put more passion, or time, or get obsessed more than other, more "global" fans. In the end we are the ones that are missing out.

I have all his concertos and non celebratory concert works and have listened to them many times.They seem very schizophrenic and seem composed by another person at times.I thinks he tries to hard to be serious and artsy in those pieces.That said I enjoy some individual movements or pieces(like Soundings)

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

I actually sort of like them for that reason, they have a very different quality to them.

Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy them nearly as much as some people, but they're not too bad.

[Elmo Lewis 7]

I have all his concertos and non celebratory concert works and have listened to them many times.They seem very schizophrenic and seem composed by another person at times.I thinks he tries to hard to be serious and artsy in those pieces.s

What if he really is serious and artsy?

[BLUMENKOHL 1,110]

Nah.

He strikes me as a professionally reserved person and an everyday drunk and acid junkie.

But as he grew older he realized the negative effects and weened himself off.

Hence why his scores don't have the amazing quality they did in the infamous decade of 1975-1985.

[King Mark 3,977]

Then I say his true calling is film music and his concert works are not as good no matterhow much heart he puts into it.

I predict that when Williams dies,some his film scores will be elevated to the rank of true classical music(the Raiders March,Harry Potter and Star Wars will be played in classical concerts),while no one will remember his concertos

[Red 75]

That's a given, but it proves nothing.

Rabbit--who's unfortunately only heard his horn concerto (but will hear more)

[King Mark 3,977]

The Horn Concerto is one of the better ones

[hornist 1,262]

I like most the Bassoon one.