The music community at Central Washington University lost a very important and impactful member a week ago. Dr. Maria Roditeleva-Wibe, professor of music history and theory, passed away at age 58. It was very surprising and shocking, and I feel quite devastated by it.
A very nice obituary was written for her here.
So, about my experience with her. I had her as a professor for at least one class every term for my first 3 years at CWU. She was my Music Theory professor for 2 years, and then I had her for Music History for a year, as well as for World Music for 1 term. When I first saw her for my first music class, I felt an interesting mix of terror and fondness. She was a tall woman with poofy hair, and was from Russia, so it was easy to be kind of intimidated. And she really expected a lot out of us. She had a relatively heavy accent, which some of my classmates seemed to have trouble understanding, but I never did. Her voice was so gentle, and even though she had high expectation and gave us a lot of work to do, you could tell she had a hard of gold. She never yelled at us or had a hint of frustration in her voice. She would still be gentle, but firm. And she would have a good amount of smiles and laughs along the way.
Her and I always got along well. I always did pretty well in music theory so I know she liked having me as a student. I always enjoyed being in her class, even if it was hard at times.
She was a fabulous pianist, as well. I heard her play on her own at faculty recitals and accompanying others, and I really enjoyed hearing her play. Since I decided to do the Gliere Horn Concerto for my junior recital (Gliere being a Russian composer), it was only natural to ask her to play my entire recital with me, which she happily did, and we played a really fine performance together.
And that was pretty much all the interaction I had with her. After my junior year, I didn't really see her much anymore, just in passing or on stage performing. I was happy to hear that my former student Allison had taken classes with her, excited that she had still been teaching. Allison told me that the whole music department there is pretty shocked, and rightly so.
Thank you, Maria...for educating me in music so well. You have made me such a better musician. And thank you for a fun Gliere.
I feel inclined to write a piece for Maria, but I'm just not sure how to go about it. I feel so disconnected from composition right now. I hope I can buckle down and get back to it again.
Take care and value music...and the musicians currently in your life.