live Performance recordings
Betsy Jolas - Episode Sixieme (1984)
Recorded in 2022 by Continuous Motion Productions
Betsy Jolas is a wide-ranging French composer who grew from the tradition of Messiaen and was influenced by the complexities of Boulez and Stockhausen. This piece is one of nine works she has written entitled “Episode” for different solo instruments.
At its core, Episode Sixieme is a vocal piece for the viola. A thread of lyricism is the dominant voice of the piece, even if at times it becomes submerged or drowned out by other music. Capricious skittering gestures, far-flung timbres, and jagged rhythms momentarily distract from this idea, but the melodic voice always re-emerges, exerting its subtle, lyrical pull on the musical narrative. Jolas carefully balances lyricism with the gestural figuration, and the metrical flow meanders along with an insouciant disposition. It has a through-composed quality, and elements rarely repeat; yet, this pervading sense of lyricism, however abstract, binds the piece together. While lyricism is central in all of her works, she writes with special sensitivity for the viola. She allows the viola to sing through both conventional (long, cantabile phrases) and unconventional (extended harmonics passages, frequent glissandos) means.
The meaning of this piece seems to be just beyond my reach, and that’s why I love it so much. It lives on the boundary between understanding and mystery. It reminds me of one of Wallace Stevens’s “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird”:
When the blackbird flew out of sight,
It marked the edge
Of one of many circles.
Penderecki - String Trio: I
Recorded live in the Sejeong Center Chamber Hall, Seoul, South Korea. January 4, 2020.
Ching-Yi Lin, violin; Andrew Braddock, viola; Wesley Baldwin, cello
Betsy Jolas - Quatre Duos (1979)
Four Duos for viola and piano. Andrew Braddock, viola, Christina Lai, piano
I. L'Ardente
II. L'Interdite
III. La Toute-Vive
IV. La Grande Irenée
Recorded in WKU Recital Hall, October 2021.
Hans Werner Henze - Lecture/Recital
Sonata for Viola and Piano with Zachary Lopes, piano, and An Brenton.
The performance of the Sonata begins at 36:45, and An Brenton at 12:33
International Viola Congress in Columbus, GA, June 1, 2022
Hans Werner Henze
An Brenton (1993) for solo viola. Recorded at home, July 2021.
Duo at Home Concert, for 3rd Ave. Arts (Durango, CO)
Works by Mozart, Michael Rose, Augusta Reed Thomas, Bartók, Henze, and Martinu
October 2020
Mozart - String Quintet in C, K. 515
Ensemble D'Amici
Recorded live in Daejeon Arts Center, Daejeon, South Korea on January 8, 2020
Ching-Yi Lin, Ji Myung Kim, violins; Andrew Braddock, Yong Joo Ahn, violas; Wesley Baldwin, cello
Kodaly - Serenade, op. 12: II - Lento ma non troppo
Recorded live and in concert on Dec. 4th, 2016, in the Turner Recital Hall, Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University
Ching-Yi Lin, Carolyn Huebl - violins
Andy Braddock - viola
Shostakovich - Cello Sonata (arranged for viola); I. Allegro non troppo
Recorded live in concert on Sept. 23, 2016, at Middle Tennessee State University. Performers: Andy Braddock, viola; Bernadette Lo, piano Shostakovich - Cello Sonata, arranged for viola by Annette Bartholdy 1. Allegro non troppo
Four Songs, op. 2 by Arnold Schoenberg (1874 - 1951)
arranged for viola by Andy Braddock
Erwartung
Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm
Erhebung
Waldsonne
Recorded live and in concert on Sept. 23, 2016 at Middle Tennessee State University Andy Braddock, viola Bernadette Lo, piano
Benjamin Britten: Phantasy for string quintet (1932)
December 20, 2017
National Concert Hall, Taipei, Taiwan
Ching-Yi Lin & Shu-Ting Hsu, violins
Andrew Braddock & Hillary Herndon, violas
Paul York, cello
Benjamin Britten - String Quartet no. 2, op. 36. 1: Allegro calmo, senza rigore
Recorded live and in concert at the University of Nebraska - Omaha, September 1st, 2016.
Ching-Yi Lin, Juliet Yoshida - violins
Andy Braddock - viola
Tim Strang - cello