Interview with Composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama: 'Remembrance' for the 2024 Primrose Competition

By Laurie Niles: Violists competing in the 2024 Primrose International Viola Competition had to learn a special piece to play in this year's Semi-Final Round: a commissioned work for viola and piano by Nokuthula Ngwenyama, written in memory of Dr. David Dalton. BELOW: Watch the Semi-Final round, in which violists will play Nokuthula Ngwenyama's "Remembrance" for viola and piano, among other works: Dalton was a former student and friend of William Primrose, and this year's Primrose competition is dedicated to his memory. Dalton was professor emeritus of viola at Brigham Young University, and earned his B.M. and M.M. degrees in violin at the Eastman School of Music. Nokuthula, who goes by "Thula" (pronounced "Toola") spoke to me about this special work and about David Dalton. Laurie: Did you know David Dalton personally, and if so can you tell me about any interactions you had with him?Thula: Yes, I had the pleasure of knowing David and his lovely wife Donna Dalton personally. We first met at the 1991 AVS Viola Congress in Ithaca, NY. That is also when I witnessed the Primrose Competition for the first time. Dr Dalton’s warmth, accomplishment, direct communication and devotion to our community remain inspiring. He founded the Primrose International Viola Competition in 1979 and spearheaded the creation of the Primrose International Viola Archive - the largest repository of viola music in the world - housed at BYU. As a scholar of the highest order he encouraged it through the Journal of the American Viola Society (JAVS). And, he had a fabulous studio, all of whom continue to play well and carry flame of service to the viola and our community. Laurie: Tell me all about your piece!Thula: The piece is called "Remembrance" for viola and piano, and it was commissioned by the Colburn School in honor of the Competition’s founder David Dalton. It is the first piece I have written for this combination. The Colburn School commissioned it for the competition and asked for something slow in contrast to ‘Sonoran Storm.’ It is slow, and in one movement in loose homage to one of David and my favorite pieces and classic of the repertoire: Brahms Sonata in F Minor Op. 120, No. 1 (hence a richer piano part as well). Before writing it I thought about conversations we’d had about music and performances through the years, then spoke with Donna Dalton and Dr. Claudine Bigelow at BYU about what he enjoyed and loved in general. He admired Primrose, his tonal voice and a genuine facility of musical expression immensely. I hope those qualities will guide the premiere. As a competition work, it is different than Vieuxtemps Concerto #5, which as the perfect competition piece requires both an incredible technique and lyricism. Instead, "Remembrance" requires poetic paced control, clear expressive tremolo harmonics, legato ad sostenuto, imaginative fingering, seamless string crossings (something Primrose worked consistently throughout his career), dramatic vibrated pizzicati and the ability to communicate bittersweet memory of bygone days. Apart from my personal checking, no one else but the PIVC competitors have played this piece. Laurie: As someone who won the competition when you were 16, what are your feelings now about the Primrose Competition? You have had many roles with this competition, am I correct? Is it something that you look forward to being a part of?Thula: The PIVC has grown and developed since winning it in 1993. I’m so grateful to it for giving me a platform to perform and be recognized and for opening doors to other audition opportunities, like Young Concert Artists. The most important indication of the competition’s development since then is an increase in prize money, which shows greater acceptance of the viola as a solo instrument. As the oldest running international viola competition it continues to bring increased attention to our instrument giving its winners great exposure. I’m proud to have been its youngest winner to date, to have served as a juror and, later, director. It’s important to pass opportunity on to the next generation of players, who sound better than ever. This year I’m touched to serve as composer and an inaugural honorary chair. While I didn’t have the opportunity to know Primrose personally or hear his playing directly, his legacy and the competition, founded by David Dalton, continue to be inspiring in every way. Laurie: Would you like to add anything?Thula: I’m thrilled to hear the premiere(s) and am grateful to Colburn and the PIVC for inviting me to write for this year’s competition and next generation of viola virtuosos. You might also like:

• Interview with Violist and Composer Nokuthula Ngwenyama: LA Phil Premiere of 'Primal Message'
• 2024 Primrose Competition and AVS Viola Festival Begin This Week
• Interview with Violist Natalie Loughran, Winner of the 2021 Primrose Competition
• Remembering Violist Dr. David Dalton (1934-2022)

* * *

Enjoying Violinist.com? Click here to sign up for our free, bi-weekly email newsletter. And if you've already signed up, please invite your friends! Thank you.