User:Firecracker82/Alba Rosa Vietor

Alba Rosa Viëtor 

Alba Rosa Viëtor was born in Milan, Italy, in 1889 and, showing a unique and extraordinary talent, became the youngest student, at age 9, to attend the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi. She would continue to study under some of the most distinguished teachers throughout Europe, including Otokar Ševčík, author of Ševčík Violin Studies, a technique book standard among budding violinists. This would lead to a marvelous career as a professional violinist, playing in concert halls throughout Europe and South America, alongside such greats as Camille Saint-Saëns. After years of traveling and adventure as a concert violinist, Alba Rosa accepted a prestigious teaching position at the Conservatorio Argentino in Buenos Aires.

After a few years at the Conservatorio, with a desire to go on a vacation to the United States, Alba Rosa boarded a ship headed to New York, met a Dutchman named Jan Viëtor, and never returned to Buenos Aires. She and Mr. Viëtor fell in love, started a family in Montclair, New Jersey, and Alba Rosa began building the classical music scene in their community.

Wanting a greater international schooling for the children, and tensions of the Great Depression exerting themselves on the couple, Jan and Alba Rosa decided it would be best for her to relocate to Neuchatel, Switzerland where the children could receive the finest education, while Jan remained in New York to work. Now in her 40s, it was in Neuchatel that Alba Rosa began intensive study of composition. Not long afterwards, and in her 50s, Alba Rosa would move back to Washington, D.C., where her son was attending college, and finally settled down to concentrate on composing.

As a member of the highly esteemed Washington Composers Club, Alba Rosa’s works were performed in many noteworthy venues, including The Phillips Gallery, on the same program with composers such as Charles Ives, Aaron Copland, and John Philip Sousa.

Alba Rosa continued to compose until her passing in 1979 at the age of 90. Since then, her compositions have remained in obscurity from the public. However, her son, Hendrik, has reached out to the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and through their joint efforts, Alba Rosa’s music is being revitalized, her fascinating story introduced to new audiences, and her legacy continued.

Video Footage of Performances

Danza Antica: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XprFmAgf4

Toddler at Play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZiGaUfjSas

Billy’s Prayer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4G6IDP4JMU

Little Suite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AALEvcig46A

Catalog of Works

Chronological: http://www.albarosavietor.com/ListCompositions%20jan%202010/ARV%20VC1889-1979%20v77%20ListsOnly%20CHRONO.pdf

Instrumental: http://www.albarosavietor.com/ListCompositions%20jan%202010/ARV%20VC1889-1979%20v77%20ListsOnly%20GENRE.pdf

Literature

The story of Alba Rosa Viëtor ISBN 9789087230067 The book, including her other writings, catalogue of her works, critics and theoretical analyses can be ordered by: info@albarosavietor.com Alba Rosa Viëtor Foundation

IBAN: NL14ABNA0537207163 BIC: ABNANL2A

Contents:

Part I: The Life of Alba Rosa Viëtor, memoir and biography

Part II: Alba's Reflections on Music and Life

Part III: Views on the Work of Alba Rosa Viëtor

Part IV:The Music, List of Compositions

Authors and editors: Alba Rosa Viëtor(+1979) Hendrik Vietor Mary van Veen-Viëtor Walter Winkler RobijnTilanus Peter Fraser MacDonald DMA Paul Janssen Tom Collingridge Publisher: Alba Rosa Viëtor Foundation