Roger Chase
Encyclopedia
Roger Chase is a British
violist
who currently teaches at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Roger Chase was born in London and studied under Bernard Shore (with occasional lessons from Lionel Tertis
) during his studies at the Royal College of Music
from 1964 to 1974. Mr. Chase received his ARCM degree [associate honors diploma] in 1974, one year prior to Tertis's death. Mr. Chase is the current owner of the 1717 Montagnana
viola, which is the instrument that Tertis used during the height of his performing career, originally acquired in Paris when it was in pieces. This 17 1/8" instrument was the inspiration for his developing, after his retirement, the Tertis model viola. His hope was to create an instrument more manageable by those with smaller hands, yet with the same deep sonority of his Montagnana. The 1717 Montagnana was acquired by Bernard Shore during Tertis's retirement in 1937 and upon Bernard Shore's death, was passed down to Roger Chase.
Mr. Chase made his debut performance in 1979 with the English Chamber Orchestra. Since then, he has played as a soloist or chamber musician in major cities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, and all of Western Europe. Mr. Chase has played as guest principal violist with every major British orchestra and many others in Europe and North America, including the Berlin Philharmonic. He served as the principal violist of the London Sinfonietta for 10 years, performed and recorded with the Nash Ensemble
for over 20 years, the period instrument ensemble Hausmusik of London for 12 years, as well as recording and touring with the Esterhazy Baryton Trio and numerous other ensembles.
Mr. Chase has recorded for EMI
, CRD, Hyperion
, Cala, Virgin
, and Floating Earth Records. He has taught at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Académie Internationale des Music de Chambre in Holland, and Oberlin College.
Viola concertos
have been written for Roger Chase by Richard Harvey
, Jonathan Lloyd, and Francis Holmes.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
who currently teaches at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Roger Chase was born in London and studied under Bernard Shore (with occasional lessons from Lionel Tertis
Lionel Tertis
Lionel Tertis, CBE was an English violist and one of the first viola players to find international fame.Tertis was born in West Hartlepool, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, and initially studied the violin in Leipzig and at the Royal Academy of Music in London...
) during his studies at the Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
from 1964 to 1974. Mr. Chase received his ARCM degree [associate honors diploma] in 1974, one year prior to Tertis's death. Mr. Chase is the current owner of the 1717 Montagnana
Domenico Montagnana
Domenico Montagnana was an Italian master luthier based in Venice, Italy. He is regarded as one of the world's finest violin and cello makers of his time....
viola, which is the instrument that Tertis used during the height of his performing career, originally acquired in Paris when it was in pieces. This 17 1/8" instrument was the inspiration for his developing, after his retirement, the Tertis model viola. His hope was to create an instrument more manageable by those with smaller hands, yet with the same deep sonority of his Montagnana. The 1717 Montagnana was acquired by Bernard Shore during Tertis's retirement in 1937 and upon Bernard Shore's death, was passed down to Roger Chase.
Mr. Chase made his debut performance in 1979 with the English Chamber Orchestra. Since then, he has played as a soloist or chamber musician in major cities in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, and all of Western Europe. Mr. Chase has played as guest principal violist with every major British orchestra and many others in Europe and North America, including the Berlin Philharmonic. He served as the principal violist of the London Sinfonietta for 10 years, performed and recorded with the Nash Ensemble
Nash Ensemble
The Nash Ensemble of London is an acclaimed English chamber ensemble. It was founded by Artistic Director Amelia Freedman in 1964, while she was a student at the Royal Academy of Music, and was named after the Nash Terraces around the Academy...
for over 20 years, the period instrument ensemble Hausmusik of London for 12 years, as well as recording and touring with the Esterhazy Baryton Trio and numerous other ensembles.
Mr. Chase has recorded for EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
, CRD, Hyperion
Hyperion Records
Hyperion Records is an independent British classical record label.-History:The company was named after Hyperion, one of the Titans of Greek mythology. It was founded by George Edward Perry, widely known as "Ted", in 1980. Early LP releases included rarely recorded 20th century British music by...
, Cala, Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
, and Floating Earth Records. He has taught at the Royal College of Music, the Guildhall School, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, the Académie Internationale des Music de Chambre in Holland, and Oberlin College.
Viola concertos
Viola concerto
The viola concerto is a concerto contrasting a viola with another body of musical instruments, usually an orchestra or chamber music ensemble. Early examples of the viola concerto include, among others, Georg Philipp Telemann's concerto in G major, and several concertos by the Stamitz clan...
have been written for Roger Chase by Richard Harvey
Richard Harvey
Richard Harvey is a BAFTA Award–winning British musician and composer. He is best known for his film and television soundtracks...
, Jonathan Lloyd, and Francis Holmes.