Primrose International Viola Competition

The "Primrose International Viola Competition", also referred to as the "Primrose Memorial Scholarship Competition", is an international music competition for viola players named for the 20th century virtuoso William Primrose.

History

International music competitions for instruments such as violin and piano had been held for decades. However, there was a void in the music world to recognize the viola as a major solo instrument. Because of a lack of substantial viola solo literature, the instrument's potential was not realized until the appearance of Lionel Tertis, considered the "father of viola playing". Tertis commissioned scores of works that reflected the instrument's rich diversity. William Primrose continued in Tertis' footsteps of excellence in viola performance, and in 1979 created the first competition for the instrument. In subsequent years, two major viola competitions arose: the Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and the Maurice Vieux International Viola Competition.

The Primrose competitions are held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the North American Viola Congress. Eligible participants are 29 years and younger of any nationality. The competition involves three rounds during the week-long Congress in which entrants perform a required work as well as several choices from a viola repertoire list that includes solo works, sonatas, concertos and transcriptions by Primrose.

Primrose Memorial Scholarship Competition

Primrose International Viola Competition

ee also

* List of classical music competitions

References

* [http://www.primrosecompetition.org/ Primrose International Viola Competition]
* [http://www.americanviolasociety.org/Competitions/primrose/primroselaureates.htm American Viola Society]