VivaViola! presents livestreamed series of events

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The 2023 VivaViola! edition will take place on 2 March 2023. The viola day will be held at New York Broadway Presbyterian Church, 601 West 114th St. New York, NY 10025, but all events will be streamed on YouTube.

4-5.30pm (ET): Workshop Growing Into Your Best Self - An interactive workshop led by Neesa Sunar dedicated to practicing effectively with positive mental health benefits.

6-7pm (ET): Film debut - Watch and enjoy an interview with the grand dame of the viola, Nobuko Imai, who celebrates her 80th birthday this month.

7:30-9 PM (ET): Concert 

J.S. Bach: Sonata no. 3 for Violin and Keyboard, BWV 1016 – arr. Misha Amory

Alban Berg: Vier Stücke für Bratsche und Klavier, Op.5 – arr. Roger Tapping

Joan Tower: Wild Purple (2002)  

Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti: koʻu inoa (2017)

David Serkin Ludwig: Flowers in the Desert (2009)

W.A. Mozart: Divertimento in D Major, K. 334 – arr. Samuel Rhodes

Violist Hsin-Yun Huang describes the event:

’Artists have a responsibility to tell stories – from the depths of their heart, expressing sincerely and honestly through their craft while staying connected to the world we live in. Each of our lives is a storyline whose entirety we don’t yet know. All of these stories unfold beautifully and unexpectedly. For me, keeping a sense of awe as I discover the world is an inspirational tool for me to get a little closer to the composer, the artist and the music itself. 

’This year we offer much-anticipated arrangements by Samuel Rhodes, Misha Amory and the late Roger Tapping. They will become tomorrow’s classics in the viola repertoire. In contrast, the contemporary compositions on this program are all about telling their own stories, Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti’s ko’u inoa translates from Hawaian into ‘my name’, and frames and absorbs the meaning of identity. David Serkin Ludwig’s Flowers in the Desert is his gut-wrenching response to gun violence and community rage. Joan Tower’s Wild Purple is already a classic in the viola repertoire which displays a player’s virtuosity and range of colour vividly and imaginatively. Joining me in the performance are my beloved musicians – violists Jordan Bak and En-Chi Cheng, clarinetist Anoush Pogossian, pianists Amy Yang and Thomas Sauer. 

’We introduce the brilliant Neesa Sunar as a new member of the VivaViola! team. She is a passionate violist as well as a certified clinical therapist. She will lead all of us in an interactive workshop – How to Grow into Your Best Self – practicing effectively with a positive mental health mindset.  She will share tips and strategies and offer tools for us to remain resilient and strong, no matter how tough things can sometimes be. 

’Finally, we will be watching and enjoying an exclusive interview with the grand dame of the viola, Nobuko Imai, who is turning 80 this month! We celebrate with all the viola community in Europe; you will find her stories surprising, delightful and be utterly charmed by her smile and sense of humor. I feel enduring respect for how she has maintained her artistic integrity, and how Viola Space in Japan has become an extraordinary sustaining source for the viola through her unwavering devotion; and it is an inspiration to hear the saga of an Asian female artist from the 1950’s, who made so many tough choices in the face of generational and cultural bias.

’I am humbled by the spirits these musicians and artists represent. They inspire me everyday and I hope you too will find beauty and truth here. With deep gratitude to Cathy Chan and the Foundation of Chinese Performing Arts for their steadfast support, we thank you for joining our viola love.’