ResearchWorks: A concert-lecture: Rebecca Clarke’s Sonata for Viola and Piano

The aim of this presentation is to compare and discuss the various sources available for Rebecca Clarke's Sonata for Viola and Piano, from an interpretive perspective.

In 1919, the violist and composer Rebecca Clarke (1886 – 1979) was a finalist in the Coolidge Competition, where she presented her Viola Sonata. This sudden notoriety enabled her to have the Sonata published by Chester Editions. Although she participated in the editing process, there are (and remain) many discrepancies between the viola and the piano parts. The manuscript used for the competition, together with Clarke’s personal concert scores, can provide complementary insights into the various stages of writing and Clarke’s musical world.

The presentation will focus on the performance indications: rubato, breathing, tempo, and fingerings.

This lecture aims to provide the interpreter with keys to understanding the specific vision Clarke had of the viola, and to enable him or her to develop a personal and documented interpretation. With numerous live examples, the lecture recital will display excerpts from:

• the manuscript
• the Chester original edition, corrected by Clarke in 1921 and reedited in 1991
• personal concert scores annotated by Clarke

This lecture is based on the research project ClarkeSources carried out in collaboration with Marie Chabbey, research associate in the HEMU research department, and supported by HEMU HES-So

Speaker & Performer (Viola): Vinciane Beranger

Performer (Piano): Craig White

The years Vinciane Béranger spent with the Manfred Quartet have led to invitations to perform on some of the greatest stages worldwide, including Salle Gaveau and Chopin-Pleyel in Paris, Victoria Hall in Geneva, Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Mozarteum in Salzburg and Kennedy Center in Washington. The recent recording “Rebecca Clarke, Works for viola” is warmly welcomed by the media. As part of a research program at HEMU, Vinciane Béranger initiated a work on Clarke’s manuscripts. Her discography includes sonatas and chamber music works by Mozart, Schumann, Werg/Webern/Schönberg and Bach/Coltrane improvisations. Vinciane is also a performer favoured by contemporary composers such as Kurtag, Stockhausen, Pécou, Jolas, Giraud, Matalon and Bacri. A much sought-after teacher, she works at the HEMU Lausanne in Switzerland and CRR de Paris. Vinciane studied at the CNSMP and was unanimously awarded a First Prize for viola, and a First Prize for chamber music. After studying with Kim Kashkashian in Germany, she completed her training at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia as a recipient of the Fullbright scholarship.A prize winner at the Washington International Music Competition, Valentino Bucchi International Competition, Berne Lyceum Competition, Illzach International Competition, she was also given the Fondation Natexis award. She plays a viola by Mantegazza from 1770.

Craig White is a versatile and highly acclaimed chamber musician with a focus on both instrumental and vocal repertoire. After his studies at St Catherine’s College, Oxford he completed a Postgraduate Diploma at the Royal Academy of Music in London, studying with Michael Dussek and Diana Ketler. Craig has since been based as Fellow in Piano Accompaniment at the Royal College of Music and now works with the string department at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Guildhall School’s ResearchWorks is a programme of events centred around the School’s research activity, bringing together staff, students and guests of international standing. We run regular events throughout the term intended to share the innovative research findings of the School and its guests with students, staff and the public.