A lot of has transpired since my last post! On Thursday (3/7), I had a relaxing day in Iowa City. In the morning I had breakfast with my dear friend and colleague Prof. Christine Rutledge, viola professor extraordinaire at the University of Iowa. She showed me the Hamburg Inn No. 2, a long time campaign stop for Presidential hopefuls. We didn’t get to sit in the famed Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton booths, but we had a chance to see some interesting memorabilia.
Thursday afternoon I spent warming up on my viola, running about town and checking out the Stanley Art Museum (which had a fascinating collection of African Art, a cool Jackson Pollock and Matisse, among other works). After that I had the chance to play in an epic hall that evokes a slice of red velvet cake in its hues, and has a luscious acoustic that delights the ears of violists!
It was a treat to perform in the Recital Hall at the University of Iowa’s School of Music building on Thursday night. The recital hall in the Voxman Music building at the University of Iowa is quite stunning, and I recommend making the pilgrimage to this hall if you have a chance to do so. I really had a chance to savor the pieces I was playing, and some of it was recorded, but not livestreamed… (more on that another day). After that, I had the delight of meeting violist and composer Michael Kimber, who lives in the Iowa City area, and is well known among violists for his works for solo viola and viola ensemble.
Yesterday (Friday, 3/8) marked the beginning of my journey heading east. I had the chance to have coffee and scones with Nelly Rocha and Chris Scanlon in DeKalb, Illinois. Nelly and Chris were friends and colleagues in New York City, and it was great to catch up with them. From there, I continued eastward towards the outskirts of Chicago, where I gave a masterclass (and a mini impromptu performance of a movement of Raphael’s Sonata op. 46, no. 3, and onzecker [uncertain] section of Anthony Green’s on/Zecker) at Elmhurst University, where my dear friend from Eastman, Ben Weber is on the viola faculty! It was fun hearing the students there and learning about an interesting early work trio by Felix Mendelssohn for violin, viola, and piano.
The remainder of this epic midwestern trip has included hanging out with Ben Weber and his family, and grabbing brunch with the incredible Michael Hall later this morning. I might do a little bit of sight seeing this afternoon before I catch my flight and return home to New York City! I am grateful that I have been able to take such a fun and productive trip, and to help inspire others in their viola (and violin) journeys, and share some pieces that I am really passionate about! I am open to performing these works again, and hope to have a platform to do so in New York City soon!
Gregory K. Williams 