In 1953 Alberto Ginastera wrote a wonderful piece for symphony orchestra called Variaciones Concertantes. It features prominent solo turns for the principal players of all the sections of the orchestra. On YouTube I was fortunate enough to find a rarity: the 1968 recording of the work played by the Boston Symphony under Erich Leinsdorf.
I’m doing some internet study of recordings in preparation for my turn at the solo with the Sunriver Music Festival orchestra next week. Yikes!
Here are the players featured in this performance:
Jules Eskin, cello
Bernard Zighera, harp
Doriot Anthony Dwyer, flute
Gino Cioffi, clarinet
Burton Fine, viola
Ralph Gomberg, oboe
Sherman Walt, bassoon
Armando Ghitalla, trumpet
William Gibson, trombone
Joseph Silverstein, violin
James Stagliano, horn
Henry Portnoi, double bass
The Variation V “Variazione drammatica per viola”, as played by the legendary BSO principal violist Burton Fine, can be found beginning at 6:28 in the clip below.
6 replies on “ginastera’s variations”
I’ll let my father know that he has reached “legendary” status with this, Charles! It makes me so proud when I hear this.
I found Mr. Fine’s viola sectionals at NEC always interesting and filled with wonderful practical tips for good orchestral playing. I always learned something from him. I wish I could “drop by” and say hello to him sometime…
Peter Chun,
Lawrence KS.
Give him a call! He’s still at the same phone number (it’s in the book).
I wish there was a more recent photo of him – this was all that came up on a Google image search…
But that’s what he looked like when he made the recording!
Wonderful youtube find!